Iraq without fighter cover for two-years

Maj. Gen. Russell Handy, commander of the 9th Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force-Iraq, told Stars and Stripes that Iraq will be left with no fighter cover when U.S. forces depart next month.

Handy added that there are no discussions currently between both sides for U.S. fighter pilots to provide air cover over the next two-years before Iraq receives its F-16s.