Commuter Planes of Death Join Iraqi Air Force

Cessna turboprop planes are used today to haul cargo, ferry around commuting executives, and bring fishermen to out-of-the-way rivers. Tomorrow, the unassuming little aircraft could by firing Hellfire missiles at Iraqi insurgents.

"Two
Cessna Grand Caravan 208Bs, armed with a pair of AGM-114 Hellfire missiles each, have been photographed flying out of Meacham Airport earlier this month,"* Aviation Week* reports. "The field officially has no military presence, but it is the home of [defense contractor] ATK Integrated Systems major modification facility and the armed Cessna Caravan is one of its projects."

The planes -- with a top speed of 186 knots, and a range of 1,188 nautical miles -- are being modified for the Iraqi Air Force, which is assembling a small fleet of light, low-flying planes to take on militants.

• The order of battle for the
  Iraqi Air Force now includes three Caravans for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, three armed Caravans, two
  Hawker/Beechcraft King Air light transports and six King Airs 350s...*

If fact, U.S. officials admit that they are helping the Iraqis build a counterinsurgency force with strike capabilities. In December the
Iraqi Air Force will receive the first three armed Caravans - with laser designators for the missiles - followed by two more in early
2009, says USAF Brig. Gen. Brooks Bash, current chief of the Coalition
Air Force Transition team.

The U.S. military has its own turboprop fleet. Sensor-packed C-12R Horned Owl aircraft have been used to spot roadside bombs -- and militant bombers.

[Photo: Cessna]