Iraqi Minister of Defense discusses military, political issues Published Feb. 20, 2009 By Capt. John Severns Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Iraqi Minister of Defense said Feb. 18 that Iraq's military requires an air component capable of supporting its soldiers on the ground, and that it would begin focusing more efforts on enlarging and equipping its air force. Minister Abdul Qader made the comments during a visit here at the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command headquarters. AETC is responsible for recruiting, training and education in the Air Force, and plays a significant role in training foreign allied air forces, including Iraq's. The Iraqi air force, still in its fledgling stages, is undertaking a massive acquisition program that will see it equipped with American trainers, reconnaissance aircraft and F-16 Fighting Falcons during the next few years. The Iraqi air force already operates a number of airlift and reconnaissance aircraft, and has successfully used them during operations in the south of the country. "The armed forces will never be perfect unless there is an integration between the land forces, naval forces and air forces," the minister said during an interview conducted in Arabic through an interpreter. The minister said that Iraqi helicopters have made significant contributions to the fight against insurgents, and that they have started using intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to support their ground forces. The next phase, the minister said, will include fighter aircraft such as the F-16. The minister's plan takes place against the backdrop of an improving security situation throughout much of Iraq. As a result of the improving situation, he said, Iraq will be able to take control of its internal security by 2011. "Our vision right now is on combating terrorism and this will take us until 2011," he said. "By 2011, we will be completely able to take control of the security in Iraq. Nevertheless, we will not have the ability or capability to repeal an outer attack from another country, particularly one enhanced by aircraft," and will continue to rely on American assistance for foreign defense, he said. The minister also spoke about his efforts to de-politicize the military. Many Iraqi ministries have operated as virtual fiefdoms for various sectarian and political parties, and this has inhibited the Iraqi people's trust in them, the minister said. In November the minister issued a sweeping decree mandating that his employees -- soldiers and civilians -- remain politically neutral. The effects of that decree have been positive, he said. "What is important is that the Iraqi army is going to be owned by all Iraqis and does not belong to a certain party," he said. "I think we have achieved a success in this, illustrated in the latest elections, which proved the success of this project." Ministry employees -- including soldiers -- who belong to political parties are subject to court martial, he added. The minister concluded the interview with remarks about the recent parliamentary elections in Iraq. "In the past, Iraqi citizens didn't have any kind of confidence in [our] electoral system ... because they were utilized to elect one person only, and the result of the election was always 99.9 percent," he said, referring to rigged elections during Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath regime. "Right now, for the elections, the Iraqi citizens wanted to elect a person who is convincing him that he is going to serve his purposes," he said. "There is a true and bright feeling right now for every Iraqi citizen that he can change the system or the regime or the government through polls and not through weapons. And of course this is of extreme importance for us."