Multi-National Corps-Iraq welcomes new ACCE director

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Callahan
  • 447th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
SATHER AIR BASE, Iraq --  Coinciding with the recent change of leadership at Multi-National Corps-Iraq, Maj. Gen. David Clary arrived in Baghdad Feb. 10 to take the reins as director, Air Component Coordination Element (ACCE) Multinational Force-Iraq, where he will serve as Lt. Gen. Gary North's representative to General David Petraeus. 

General Clary deployed to Iraq from his position at Air Combat Command as vice commander.

"My purpose is to facilitate integration and synchronization of AFCENT air power with the Multi-National Force-Iraq commander's campaign plan," General Clary said. "Air power is an important contribution to the war-fighting effort," and General Clary will work closely with Gen. Petraeus, Lt. Gen. Lloyd Austin, Multi-National Corps-Iraq commander, and their staffs and subordinate commanders to maximize the integration and effectiveness of airpower into strategic, operational and tactical operations.

Air, space and information operations are critical elements used in the pursuit of Al Qaeda in Iraq and other groups that are trying to destabilize the country and prevent Iraq from becoming a free and sovereign country. When the Air Force and coalition partners are asked to integrate air power into mission plans, the ACCE is able to work with Force, Corps, and AFCENT leaders and staffs to determine the best way to provide the assets, the best combination of assets and the best way to synchronize air power in to the commander's objectives.

"Coalition air forces provide intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, space capabilities, air mobility and information operations, and, as required, close-air support and armed reconnaissance. And the good news is, the Coalition is making great progress in reducing violence and criminal activity," General Clary said.

Past experiences in both the joint environment and the Middle East have prepared General Clary well for his new tasks here. During the late 1980s, then Major Clary flew A-7Es off the USS Carl Vinson as an Air Force Exchange Pilot, and spent the better part of his six month sea deployment flying in and around South West Asia and the Indian Ocean littorals. During the Gulf War in 1991, he flew more than 200 combat hours in the A-10 aircraft, and helped establish the "no-fly" zone over Northern Iraq. He even had the opportunity to meet and work with ground forces in Zakho and Dahuk, Iraq, coordinating air and ground operations at the time. A few years later, as the J3 to Joint Task Force, Southwest Asia, he was instrumental in the transition and bed down of the first aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the Khobar Towers bombing in 1996. He has also served as deputy chief of staff for operations for Allied Air Component Command (NATO) in Izmir, Turkey. He has deployed and/or lived in this AOR six times.

"Through the sum of those experiences, I think that I have a good feel for this region of the world," he said. Coincidentally, in addition to his familiarity with the region, General Clary benefits from past working relationship with other military leaders. During his NATO tour to Italy and Turkey as deputy chief of staff for operations for NATO, he worked with then BG Rick Lynch who currently serves as commander of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division and Multi-National Division-Center in Iraq. "I was essentially his air component commander while he commanded the NATO Response Force," General Clary explained.

With such past experience to draw from, General Clary capitalized on an opportunity to attend the final planning exercise with the 18th Airborne Corps in preparation for this tour in Iraq. When LtGen Gary North, commander of 9th Air Force and U.S. Air Force Central Command, suggested he attend a strategy session with LTG Austin prior to his departure, he jumped at the chance.

"I was able to better understand the Corps' preparation and planning for the upcoming deployment," the General explained. "They focused on operational and strategic goals, their priorities, what they were going to try to accomplish while they were here, and the way ahead. I found it very valuable, and I hope it will be to the benefit of the Corps and to myself as we will be working together for the next 12 to 15 months."

Aside from his central duty as air coordinator, General Clary also has a keen eye on Airmen in the AOR who are helping to secure and rebuild Iraq. From Air Force units, to "in lieu of" Airmen working for Army units, to individual augmentee Airmen, he would like to champion the Airmen who are in the fight.

"Our operators and doing a great job helping find and defeat Al Queda in Iraq and Special Group criminals. Support and maintenance Airmen in theater do a tremendous job keeping older aircraft fully mission capable," he said. "ILO Airmen are a tremendous asset for the commanders here in Iraq as they are able to provide capabilities in critical and stressed missions. Additionally, individual augmentees are invaluable in providing the Airman's perspective and subject matter expertise on joint and coalition staffs."

As he begins his tour as the ACCE, General Clary will conduct battlefield circulations, visiting ground and air units across Iraq in order to familiarize himself with the Airmen and air power assets, and how those capabilities and missions are integrated into and supporting the Coalition Campaign. By ensuring the right capabilities and Airmen are provided to Coalition Forces, he hopes to enhance the successes of the Coalition, and ultimately, the democratically elected government in Iraq.