Iraq receives its first F-16 Block 52 fighter

AT a special ceremony at the Lockheed Fort Worth factory, the first of the 36 fighters on order was handed over. The contract is part of government to government deal under the auspices of the American Department of Defense.
The contract includes mission equipment and a support package provided by Lockheed Martin and other U.S. and international contractors. “Iraq joins 27 other nations around the world who depend on the F-16 Fighting Falcon to maintain peace and security,” said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “We are proud to play a role in the defence of a new democracy and look forward to strengthening our partnership with Iraq.”