May 22,2008: The Iraqi Air Force flew its first, ever, medical evacuation (Medevac) mission on May 14th. While the Iraqi pilots and medics successfully evacuated an Iraqi casualty, it was also a training mission. U.S. instructors were on board to observe, and later advise on any areas that still needed work. An Iraqi UH-1 helicopter was used. As more Iraqi Medevac crews begin operating, they will eventually serve as instructors, to train thousands of Iraqis for military and civilian Medevac missions. Iraqis have been impressed with the American use of Medevac techniques, and everyone wants this capability once the Americans are gone.