Iraqi pilots graduate from RAF Cranwell

They received their IAF pilot 'wings' from the Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton.

Their new qualification will pave the way for them to return to their homeland where the IAF will complete their training on a multi-engine conversion unit. They will then take to the air flying military transport aircraft such as the King Air 350 and the C130 Hercules.

During the graduation ceremony Lt Zebari, 24, who is the son of General Babiker Shawat al-Zebari Chief of Staff Iraqi Joint Forces, was presented with the Glen Trophy, awarded to the student pilot who gained the highest overall marks for flying. He also received the Dacosta Trophy for best overall improvement during the course.

Group captain Nigel Wharmby, station commander at RAF Cranwell and officer commanding No.3 Flying Training School, said: "I am delighted that Lts Zebari and Barzani have graduated successfully from their multi-engine flying training at RAF Cranwell. The course is complex and extremely demanding, necessarily so, covering all basic flying disciplines in order to prepare students for the challenge of operating any of the diverse fleet of multi-engine aircraft in service.

"Beyond the basic rigours of flying, the course also focuses heavily on captaincy, airmanship and crew resource management - intangible but vital attributes for military aircrew.

"The RAF and No.3 Flying Training School are no strangers to training international students in many branches and the exchange of experiences, the enhanced understanding and the bonds forged through such relationships are extremely important.

"This is a very proud occasion for all the graduates but perhaps especially so for Lts Zebari and Barzani who have bridged many gaps during their time with us. We wish both of them every success for what must be a very promising future within the new Iraqi Air Force."

There are currently seven Iraqi students at RAF Cranwell, including Lts Barzani and Zebari.