Sallyport Global Holdings, Reston, Virginia, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $240,000,000 contract action to provide base operations support, base life support, and security services in the support of the Iraq F-16 program. Work will be performed at Balad Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed Jan. 30, 2022. This contract is the result of a sole-source acquisition and involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq. U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity.
The Iraqi Air Force (IQAF, Al Quwwat al Jawwiya al Iraqiya) is the latest customer for the venerable viper. In the spring of 2009, the decision was made to spend $1.5 billion on an initial order of 18 F-16 fighters. Later purchases could bring the total buy to 96. The first set was to be delivered by 2014, with all 36 currently ordered delivered by 2018. The first F-16IQ Block 52 fighter was delivered to Iraq on 5 June 2014, making it the 28th country to receive the F-16. The last F-16 was delivered to the Iraq airforce on November 14, 2017.
F-16IQs can be armed with AIM-9L/M Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missiles, and Paveway guided bombs. Iraq has selected Goodrich Corporation’s DB-110 airborne reconnaissance system for use on F-16. A total of 4 systems was ordered in 2012 in a $71.45 million program. The DB-110 digital, real-time, tactical reconnaissance system allows pilots to capture images day or night using electro-optical sensor technology. Imagery is viewed on the F-16’s cockpit video display, enabling the navigator to verify targets and conduct tasks.
