CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq – Air operations at Contingency Operating Base Basra cater to a wide range of travel needs. Service members and civilians utilize air travel for mission requirements and leave. Commercial aircraft land and take off at Basra International Airport on a weekly basis.
Service members of 3rd Air Operations Battalion, 58th Aviation Regiment and civilian employees of Skylink Arabia work together to ensure the success of air travel to and from COB Basra.
Lt. Col. John Kornman, 3rd Bn., 58th Avn. Regt. commander, said his unit, which first activated at Illesheim, Germany in June 2007, is one of 10 AOBs in the U.S. Army and the first to deploy.
“AOBs are a new concept in the Army,” the Smithville, Texas native said. “(Our deployment) is a huge step for Iraq as we work with contractors and the Iraqi airport manager to bring (Baghdad International Airport) up to international standards and enhance commercial travel here.” Kornman made it clear his unit is a tenant of Basra International Airport, and while they are responsible for air operations here, their primary role is to strengthen the capabilities of Skylink Arabia.
“We have made big steps to bring the airport up to international standards,” said Kornman. “There is an (International Civil Aviation Organization) inspection scheduled for November and we are all working hard to make sure we are ready for it.”
Kornman stressed the importance of Basra’s airport being fully operational, saying commercial travel will enhance tourism and commerce in the local area.
“We have three to five commercial aircraft a week landing here,” he said. “We hope to eventually see as many as 60 a week in the future.”
Tony Randerson, station manager for Skylink Arabia, said while this effort will benefit the local economy once everything is in place, many local Iraqis have already benefited from the employment opportunities Skylink has to offer.
“We provide, in a joint venture with Iraqis, manpower and technical guidance to help develop operations here,” he said. “Iraqis are covering about 50 percent of the air traffic control now.”
Sgt. 1st Class John Fritz, 3rd Bn., 58th Avn. Regt., arrival, departure and traffic control group noncommissioned officer-in-charge said Iraqis also handle aircraft fueling, traffic control, cleaning, pallet construction and forklift baggage transport.
The cooperation of Iraqi citizens in this effort has not only been an opportunity for employment, it has also been essential for mission success, according to Kornman.
“Iraqis are helping us make the operation happen,” he said. “We couldn’t do this without their efforts.”
Fritz said the entire scope of air operations at Basra will eventually be contracted, but a couple of obstacles must be overcome first.
“We still need more manpower,” the Knoxville, Tenn. native said. “We also have to get them through the vetting process for security clearances. Once we clear those hurdles, the entire mission will be contracted.”
Most of the Iraqis currently employed by Skylink are in entry-level positions, according to Paul Greenaway, acting project manager for Skylink.
“We start them with basic jobs, but we have a training program to allow for advancement,” he said.
Randerson said they have identified some workers who have potential for added responsibility.
“They came to learn,” he said. “They seem very eager to get the knowledge they need to succeed at what they do now and potentially promote as they go.”
There is still much work to be done before air operations at COB Basra can be fully assumed by Skylink Arabia and its Iraqi employees. However, cooperation between Skylink and its military counterparts in 3rd Bn., 58th Avn. Regt., has this mission off to a good start.
