working to rebuild the iraq air force.(Capital Region)

Byline: TERRY BROWN - Staff Writer

Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Nardacci of East Greenbush helped re-establish the Iraq air force.

After Nardacci competed his third tour in Iraq, he returned to duty as a C-17 Globemaster III airlift aircraft crew chief with the 703rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base at Anchorage, Alaska. Nardacci received a Joint Service Achievement Medal for his performance as a Coalition Air Force Transition Team maintenance adviser and member of the newly activated 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron at Kirkuk Regional Air Base.

He was one of approximately 80 U.S. Air Force and Army personnel training Iraqi pilots and support personnel.

A number of former Iraqi air force pilots are back …