The US Air Force has handed over Hawk Base to the Iraqi Air Force, as part of the US’s drawdown and transfer of responsibility to the Government of Iraq security forces.

The transferred Hawk Base includes 31 facilities, four generators, all required life support equipment and a permanent headquarters for the Iraqi Air Force.

Hawk Base will also include the new Iraqi Air Operations Centre, which is currently undergoing construction at Victory Base Complex.

Coalition air force transition team commanding general Robert C Kane said establishing a permanent headquarters for the Iraqi air force and ensuring it has the continued use of the air operation centre is an important step for the development of the Iraqi Air Force.

During the Iraq occupation of US forces, a linguistics company used the Hawk Base as a headquarters and transition point for interpreters moving in and out of the country.