Ukrainian An-124 delivered the Dutch military to Iraq

The Ukrainian An-124-100 Ruslan cargo aircraft, with the onboard inscription “Be brave like Kherson,” delivered military engineers from the Netherlands to Iraq.

This was reported on the website of the Dutch military.

The first part of the engineering task force arrived at the American Al-Asad Airbase in western Iraq earlier this week.

The team builds a special large tent to protect the Dutch Chinook transport helicopters from the weather conditions of the region.

Helicopters will arrive in Iraq in May as part of the NATO Mission Iraq (NMI).

The task force and equipment to accommodate the helicopters were delivered by AN-124-100 Ruslan transport aircraft of Antonov Airlines.

The Dutch military emphasized that the plane, in particular, was carrying parts 12 meters long that would not fit in a conventional transport plane.

A second group of military engineers with the remaining parts landed in Iraq on Saturday, March 9, and they were also transported by the Ukrainian An-124-100.

The team of engineers expects to spend about 3 weeks on the construction of the tent. Now, they have started installing the base plates.

Once the tent is installed, other facilities will be built. Workplaces and accommodation for 120 servicemen will also be provided.

Three Chinook helicopters will be used to support NATO units in Iraq, in particular, for the movement of advisers, units, and equipment.

It is worth noting that the flight range of the AN-124-100 Ruslan transport aircraft with a maximum load of 120 tons is 5,600 km, and with a load of 40 tons, it can cover a distance of 11,000 km.