Iraqi defense minister tours Balad Air Base

Video stills from Iraqi Ministry of Defense video depicting Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi touring Balad Air Base on 03JUN15. (Complete embedded video at end of post.)

Signage at Balad Air Base includes illustration of F-16 fighter aircraft and fighting falcon

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi amid American military personnel and contractor. The tour of Balad happens to coincide with a strike by 475 Iraqi military aviation technicians currently training in Jordan, after their salaries were cut by 80% following an order from the Iraqi defense and finance ministers.

Control tower of what is being touted as an improved Bald Air Base 

Exterior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base

Interior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base

Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi speaking before entrance of hardened aircraft shelter

File photo of IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16I D Block 52, serial 1601  [Photo: Keith Snyder]

Long delayed initial F-16I delivery to Iraq expected summer of 2015 according to American sources; on  21JUL15 according to Iraqi Air Force Lt. Gen. Anwar Hama Amin.

VIDEO:

Iraqi minister of defense, in the news

Still from an Iraqi MOD video posted 08DEC14 of Iraqi Minister of Defense Dr. Khalid al-Obeidi, seen saluting upon disembarking from IqAF Lockheed Martin C-130J-30 "Super Hercules" transport aircraft at Camp Speicher (ORSH).

Of note,  US DSCA announced the last week of November that the Government of Iraq requested a possible 5-year sustainment package for its C-130E/J fleet that includes operational, intermediate, and depot level maintenance, spare and repair parts, support equipment, repair and return, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and program support. Estimated cost is $800M, and American observers are somewhat skeptical of this request given the poor performance of Iraq's military against ISIL, and the current, cheap price of crude oil. [source: Defense Industry Daily]

Interesting to see the Iraqi minister's adoption of tan CWU27/P nomex fire-retardant flight suit. He wears a distinctive ID patch marked "MINISTER.O.D".

YouTube video posted 08DEC14 depicting Iraqi Minister of Defense Dr. Khalid al-Obeidi at this week's tour of recently liberated Baiji refinery and University of Tikrit.

YouTube video posted 08DEC14 depicting Iraqi Minister of Defense Dr. Khalid al-Obeidi at this week's tour  of Kadhimiya (northern Baghdad). During the last question posed by a member of the press, he is asked about Russian arms developments for Iraq. The minister responds "there's been a few complications regarding recent deliveries."

Photo of outgoing U.S. SecDef Chuck Hagel (right) with Iraqi MOD Dr. Khalid al-Obeidi dated 09DEC14 in Baghdad. [photo: AP]

Iraqi leadership reportedly told SecDef Hagel on Tuesday that their army is "taking the offensive" against the Islamic State group but needs more air power and heavy weaponry to prevail.