Iraqi Air Force
Symbol of the IQAF
Founded	April 22, 1931
Country	Iraq
Allegiance	Iraqi Security Forces
Branch	Air Force
Size	Approx. 3,000 personnel / 80 aircraft
Commanders
Current commander	Gen. Kamal Barzanji
Aircraft flown
Reconnaissance	CH 2000, Ce 208 Caravan ISR, KA 350ISR
Trainer	Ce172, Ce 208 Caravan, Bell 206 Jet Ranger
Transport	C-130E, KA 350ER, Mi-17, UH-1H

The Iraqi Air Force or IQAF (Arabic: Al Quwwa al Jawwiya al Iraqiya القوة الجوية العراقية) is the military branch in Iraq responsible for aerial operations. The IQAF also acts as a support force for the Iraqi Navy and the Iraqi Army. Image File history File links IQAF_Symbol. ... is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division stand outside an Iraqi army compound in Buhriz, Iraq, Jan. ... For a particular Air Force, see List of air forces. ... English Electric Canberra PR.9 photo reconnaissance aircraft CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft of the Canadian Air Force. ... Center panel and radio stack The AMD Alarus CH2000 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan, also known as the Cargomaster, is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... 1971 Cessna 172 The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane that is probably the most popular flight training aircraft in the world. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan, also known as the Cargomaster, is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ... The Bell Helicopter Model 206 JetRanger is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Mil Mi-17 The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. ... The most widely used military helicopter in the world, The Bell UH-1 series Iroquis named after an Native American Indian tribe, but more popularly known as Huey was manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron in the 1950s to served in the infamous Vietnam War. ... Iraqi soldiers from the 2nd Iraqi Army Brigade, train on cordon and search procedures at Diyala Regional Training Facility in August 2005. ... Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare, including military airlift of cargo to further the national interests as was demonstrated in the Berlin Airlift. ... Iraqi patrol craft in 2004 The Iraqi Navy is one of the components of the military of Iraq currently being reconstructed by UK-US Coalition forces in Iraq. ... The Iraqi Army is the land force of Iraq, active in various forms since being formed by the British during their mandate over the country after World War I. Today, it is a component of the Iraqi Security Forces tasked with assuming responsibility for all Iraqi land-based military operations...

History

The Royal Iraqi Air Force was founded on April 22, 1931 under the British guardianship. It was based at the airport in the Washash neighborhood of Baghdad, and consisted of five pilots (aeronautics students from the RAF college at RAF Cranwell), and 32 aircraft mechanics. The original five pilots were Natiq Mohammed Khalil al-Tay, Mohammed Ali Jawad, Hafdhi Aziz, Akrem Talib Mushtaq, and Musa Ali. During the early years of the Royal Iraqi air force, they mainly received aircraft from England and the Soviet Union. is the 112th day of the year (113th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1931 (MCMXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Royal Air Force College (RAFC) is the Royal Air Force training and education academy which provides initial training to all RAF personnel who are preparing to be commissioned officers. ... RAF Cranwell is a Royal Air Force station in Lincolnshire close to the village of Cranwell, near Sleaford. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ...

1940s

The RIrAF was not used in a combat role until being decimated in the 1941 Anglo-Iraqi War, and then in 1948 in their war against the newly-created state of Israel. During the Anglo-Iraqi War, the RIrAF under Rashid Ali received aid from the Luftwaffe to fight the British. When the First Arab-Israeli War erupted, the RIrAF was still recovering from its destruction by the British. Even though the RIrAF was still contained a mordern aircraft inventory, the RIrAF played a small but significant role in the first war against Israel which was completely unrecognized. In 1948 to 1949 the RIrAF dispatched Avro Anson training-bombers to Jordan, from where these flew a number of attacks against the Israelis. Part of the Ansons were replaced by the more mordern fighter the Hawker Fury. These aircraft flew only two missions against Israel in Iraqi markings before most of the available examples were given to the Egyptians. All together 14 Hawker Furies were delivered but only 6 were operational by the 7 of June, 1948. Despite all these early problems the RIrAF was to continue purchasing Furies, and acquired a total of 38 F.Mk.1s, and 4 two-seaters. The only claimed aircraft kill of the Fury belonging to the RIrAF was an Israeli Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bomber ^[1]. The IQAF also received the first 3 DeHavilland Dove VIP-transports which entered in 1951. Combatants Kingdom of Iraq United Kingdom India Commanders Rashid Ali General Sir Edward Quinan Strength five divisions about two divisions Casualties 2,500 KIA, about 6,000 POWs 1,200 (KIA, MIA, WIA) The Anglo-Iraqi War is the name of hostilities between the United Kingdom and the Iraqi nationalist... David Ben Gurion (First Prime Minister of Israel) publicly pronouncing the Declaration of the State of Israel, May 14, 1948. ... Combatants Kingdom of Iraq United Kingdom India Commanders Rashid Ali General Sir Edward Quinan Strength five divisions about two divisions Casualties 2,500 KIA, about 6,000 POWs 1,200 (KIA, MIA, WIA) The Anglo-Iraqi War is the name of hostilities between the United Kingdom and the Iraqi nationalist... El-Gaylani Rashid Ali was the Pro-Axis leader of Iraq who fled to Iran when the Allies invaded Iraq. ...   (German IPA: ) is a generic German term for an air force. ... The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, called the War of Independence by Israelis and al Nakba the catastrophe by Arabs, was the first in a series of wars in the Arab-Israeli conflict. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Avro Anson was a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces during World War II and afterwards. ... The Hawker Fury was a biplane fighter design used by the RAF in the 1930s. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The State of Israel (Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, transliteration: ; Arabic: دَوْلَةْ اِسْرَائِيل, transliteration: ) is a country in the Middle East on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. ... A B_17 nicknamed Sally B in England in 2001 The B_17 Flying Fortress was the first mass_produced, four_engine heavy bomber. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

1950s and early 1960s

During the 1950s, the RIrAF went through a series of important developments where their monarchy government was topled in 1958 resulting in the change of arms imports from countries. From 1950 to 19 most of the RIrAF aircraft were from the United Kingdom. The first jet fighters, the de Havilland Vampire of the RIrAF were delivered in 1953. The RIrAF also received de Havilland Venoms and Hawker Hunters during the mid-1950s. In 1954 and 1956 a total of 19 vampires jet fighers were delivered while with the help of US funding 14 ex-RAF hawkers where delivered. They also received 4 obsolete Bristol 170 Freighters in 1953. The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was the second jet-engined aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (the first being the Gloster Meteor), although it did not see combat in that conflict. ... Year 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The de Havilland DH.112 Venom was a post- war jet single-seat fighter-bomber of the Royal Air Force. ... The Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s. ... Year 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar). ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... RAF is an three letter acronym for: Royal Air Force -- the Air Force of the United Kingdom (see also Air Ministry) Red Army Faction (Rote Armee Fraktion) -- a German terror organisation Rigas Autobusu Fabrika -- a factory making buses in Riga, Latvia Rapid Action Force in India Računarski Fakultet RAF... The Bristol Freighter (Bristol Type 170) was a twin-engined propeller cargo aircraft designed and built by Bristol Aeroplane Company to carry motor cars and their owners over small distances. ...

After the 14 July Revolution in 1958, where the young King of Iraq was overthrown the country towards the Soviet Union and away from the west. While the Iraqi Air Force dropped "Royal" from its name, the Soviets were swift to start supplying MiG-17s, and later also MiG-19 and MiG-21 fighters, as well as Ilyushin Il-28 bombers to the new Iraqi government^[1]. They also received 13 Ilyushin Il-14 transports in 1957. The first MiG-17s were first delivered in 1958 to replace the de Havilland Vampires. It is possible that during the late 1960s and or early 1970s for a few additional MiG-17 examples were purchased and then forwarded to either Syria or Egypt. The IQAF received about 50 MiG-19s during the early 1960s but some of these aircraft were givin to Egypt. In 1966, Assyrian Iraqi Captain Munir Redfa flew his MiG-21F-13 to Israel. Two years later, Israel gave his MiG-21F-13 to the United States for evaluation under the code-name "Have Donut". This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Jan. ... Soviet redirects here. ... MiG-17 at the Central Texas Airshow, USA, May 2003. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer) is a third-generation Soviet, single-seater jet engined fighter aircraft. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... The Ilyushin Il-28 is a jet bomber aircraft that was originally manufactured for the Soviet Air Force and was the USSRs first such aircraft to enter large-scale production. ... Il-14M This article is about the airplane; for information on the cytokine for stimulating the growth of T cell lymphocytes, see Interleukin 14. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... MiG-17 at the Central Texas Airshow, USA, May 2003. ... Jan. ... The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was the second jet-engined aircraft commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War (the first being the Gloster Meteor), although it did not see combat in that conflict. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979; it is commonly called The Seventies. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (NATO reporting name Farmer) is a third-generation Soviet, single-seater jet engined fighter aircraft. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... blah ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ...

Another coup in 1962 brought Iraq closer to the United Kingdom and subsequently more Hawker Hunters ordered by the IQAF. For several years aircraft imports from the Soviet Union ceased until 1966 where a batch of MiG-21PF interceptors was purchased. Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ...

Six-Day War

During the Six-Day War in June 1967, the Iraqi Air Force was badly mauled by an Israeli strike on one of its bases on the first day of the war. It bombed several air bases and land targets on the fifth day, and played a significant role in supporting Jordanian troops and destroying fighter planes which had not yet taken off. On June 6, Iraqi Hawker Hunters some piloted by East German, Polish, Libyan and Pakistani pilots destroyed two Israeli planes in air combat ^[1]. Due to these mercenaries, the IQAF were sucessfully able to defend their air bases in western Iraq from additional Israeli attacks. Combatants Israel Egypt Syria Jordan Iraq Commanders Yitzhak Rabin, Moshe Dayan, Uzi Narkiss, Israel Tal, Mordechai Hod, Ariel Sharon Abdel Hakim Amer, Abdul Munim Riad, Zaid ibn Shaker, Hafez al-Assad Strength 264,000 (incl. ... is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s. ... For the historical eastern German provinces, see Historical Eastern Germany East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR), German Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR), was a Communist Party-led state that existed from 1949 to 1990 in the former Soviet occupation zone of Germany. ... The Great Socialist Peoples Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or Libya (Arabic: ليبيا) is a country in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, located between Egypt on the east, Sudan on the southeast, Chad and Niger on the south and Algeria and Tunisia to the west. ...

1970s and the Yom Kippur War

Throughout this decade, the IQAF grew in size and capability, as new treaties with the Soviet Union were to bring large numbers of relatively modern fighter aircraft to the air force. The Iraqi government was never satisified with the Soviets supplying them and while they were purchasing modern fighters like the MiG-21 and the Sukhoi Su-7, they began persuading the French to sell Mirage 5 fighters and later Jaguars. Politics of Iraq includes the social relations involving authority or power in Iraq. ... Soviet redirects here. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... Su-7s of the Polish Air Force. ... The Mirage III is a supersonic fighter aircraft designed in France by Dassault Aviation during the 1950s, and manufactured both in France and a number of other countries. ... Binomial name Panthera onca (Linnaeus, 1758) Jaguars (Panthera onca) are large members of the cat family native to South and Central America. ...

Before the Yom Kippur War, the IQAF sent 12 Hawker Hunters to Egypt where they stayed to fight. Out of the 12 hunters only 1 survived the war. The IQAF first recieved their Sukhoi Su-7s in 1968 and which were staioned in Syria. Aircraft deployed to Syria suffered heavy losses to Israeli aircraft and SAMs as well as Syrian SAMs. A planned attack on the 8th of October, was cancelled due to these heavy losses as well as disagreements with the Syrian governmment. Eventually all aircraft besides several Sukhoi Su-7s were withdrawn from bases in Syria. During the war in October 1973, Iraqi pilots ran the first airstrike against Israeli bases in Sinai, hitting artillery sites and Israeli tanks, and also claimed to have destroyed 12 Israeli fighters in air combat. Shortly after the war, the IQAF ordered 14 Tu-22Bs and two Tu-22Us from the USSR. By 1979, 10 Tu-22Bs and 2 Tu-22Us were delivered. Combatants  Israel  Egypt,  Syria,  Iraq Commanders Moshe Dayan, David Elazar, Ariel Sharon, Shmuel Gonen, Benjamin Peled, Israel Tal, Rehavam Zeevi, Aharon Yariv, Yitzhak Hofi, Rafael Eitan, Abraham Adan, Yanush Ben Gal Saad El Shazly, Ahmad Ismail Ali, Hosni Mubarak, Mohammed Aly Fahmy, Anwar Sadat, Abdel Ghani el-Gammasy, Abdul Munim... The Hawker Hunter was a British jet fighter aircraft of the 1950s and 1960s. ... Su-7s of the Polish Air Force. ... Year 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Su-7s of the Polish Air Force. ... Sinai Peninsula, Gulf of Suez (west), Gulf of Aqaba (east) from Space Shuttle STS-40 For other uses, see Sinai (disambiguation). ... The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name Blinder) is a Soviet jet supersonic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. ... The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name Blinder) is a Soviet jet supersonic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. ... State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Soviet republics Area  - Total  - % water 1st before collapse 22,402,200 km² Approx. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ...

Persian Gulf War and no-fly zones

During the 1991 Gulf War, the Iraqi Air Force was devastated by the United States, the United Kingdom and their allies. Most airfields were heavily struck, and in air combat Iraq was only able to obtain one kill, while sustaining several losses. Five out of the six Tupolev Tu-22s that Iraq possessed were destroyed by bombing at the start of Operation Desert Storm. For other uses, see Iraq war (disambiguation). ... Tu-22 at Monino AF Museum The Tupolev Tu-22 (NATO reporting name Blinder) was a Soviet jet supersonic bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. ... Combatants U.S.-led coalition Iraq Commanders George H. W. Bush, Norman Schwarzkopf, Colin Powell Saddam Hussein, Ali Hassan Al-Majid, Hussein Kamel Strength 660,000 ~545,000 Casualties 345 dead, 1,000 wounded 25,000 - 100,000 dead, 100,000 - 300,000 wounded The 1991 Gulf War (also Persian...

The MiG-25 force (NATO codename 'Foxbat') recorded the only Iraqi air-to-air kill during the war. A Mig-25PD shot down an American F/A-18 on the first night of the war. In another incident, an Iraqi Foxbat-E eluded eight American F-15s, firing three missiles at an EF-111 electronic warfare aircraft, forcing them to abort their mission. In yet another incident, two MiG-25's approached a pair of F-15 Eagles, fired missiles (which were evaded by the F-15s), and then out-ran the American fighters. Two more F-15s joined the pursuit, and a total of ten air-to-air missiles were fired at the Foxbats; none of which could reach them. MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... A U.S. Air Force F-111 The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark (the nickname was unofficial for most of its lifespan, but it was officially named Aardvark at its retirement ceremony for the United States Air Force) is a long-range strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and tactical strike aircraft. ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ...

During the Persian Gulf War, many Iraqi pilots and aircraft (of Chinese, French & Soviet origin) escaped to Iran to escape the bombing campaign. The Iranians impounded these aircraft after the war and never returned them, putting them in the service of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force ^[2] - claiming them as reparations for the Iran-Iraq War. The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) (Persian: ) is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. ...

These included several: Mirage F1s, Su-17, Su-20 amd Su-22M Fitters, Su-24MK Fencer-Ds, Su-25K/UBK Frogfoots, MiG-21 Fishbeds, MiG-23 Floggers, MiG-25 Foxbats, MiG-29A/UB Fulcrums and a number of Il-76s, comprising the secretive, one-off AEW-AWACS prototype Il-76 "ADNAN 1" The Dassault Mirage F1 is a single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault of France. ... Two aircraft share the designation Su-17. ... The Sukhoi Su-24 (NATO reporting name Fencer) was the Soviet Unions most advanced all-weather interdiction and attack aircraft in the 1970s and 1980s. ... Su-25 of the Russian Air Force The Su-25 (NATO reporting name Frogfoot) is a battlefield attack, close air support, and anti-tank aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. ... Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (NATO reporting name Fishbed) is a fighter aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... now. ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is a Russian fighter aircraft used in the air superiority role. ... An Il-76 serving Aeroflot The Ilyushin Il-76, NATO codename Candid, is a 4-engined heavy transport aircraft in widespread use in eastern Europe and Africa. ...

Abandoned Iraqi MiG-21 in front of the Al Asad ATC Tower

An Iraqi MiG-29 aircraft lies in ruins after it was destroyed by Allied forces during Operation Desert Storm.

An Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat found buried under the sand west of Baghdad.

After the Gulf War, the air force was comprised of only a sole Tu-22 and several squadrons of MiG-25s purchased from the Soviet Union in 1979. During the period of sanctions that followed, the Air Force was severely restricted by no-fly zones established by the coalition and by restricted access to spare parts due to United Nations sanctions. Many aircraft were unserviceable and many were hidden from American reconnaissance to escape potential destruction. In patrols of the no-fly zones, three Iraqi MiGs were lost. Despite several attacks from U.S. F-15s and F-14s firing AIM-54 and AIM-120 missiles at the Iraqi fighters, the Iraqi maneouvres ensured they were able to avoid any casualties in their dispute over Iraqi airspace. Prior to Operation Desert Storm, ten Iraqi MiG-23 fighter aircraft had been sent to Yugoslavia to get overhauled, but the MiG's would never return because after Desert Storm a war in Yugoslavia had started. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 603 KB) Summary Abandoned Iraqi aircraft at Al Asad air base in western Iraq This image is a work of a U.S. Marine Corps Marine or employee, taken or made during the course of the persons official duties. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1280x960, 603 KB) Summary Abandoned Iraqi aircraft at Al Asad air base in western Iraq This image is a work of a U.S. Marine Corps Marine or employee, taken or made during the course of the persons official duties. ... The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 (Russian: ) (NATO reporting name Fishbed), and popularly nicknamed balalaika, from the aircrafts planform-view resemblance to the famous Russian stringed musical instrument, is a supersonic jet fighter aircraft, designed and built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the Soviet Union. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2840x1930, 3007 KB)An Iraqi MiG-29 (NATO: Fulcrum) aircraft lies in ruins after it was destroyed by Allied forces during Operation Desert Storm. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (2840x1930, 3007 KB)An Iraqi MiG-29 (NATO: Fulcrum) aircraft lies in ruins after it was destroyed by Allied forces during Operation Desert Storm. ... The Mikoyan MiG-29 (NATO reporting name Fulcrum) is a Russian fighter aircraft used in the air superiority role. ... An Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat found buried under the sand west of Baghdad, public domain image from af. ... An Iraqi MiG-25 Foxbat found buried under the sand west of Baghdad, public domain image from af. ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... A No-Fly Zone is a territory over which aircraft generally or certain unauthorized aircraft are not permitted to fly. ... UN redirects here. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is an all-weather, extremely maneuverable, tactical fighter designed to permit the U.S. Air Force to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. ... The Grumman F-14 Tomcat is a supersonic, twin-engine, two-seat, variable geometry wing aircraft. ... An AIM-54 Phoenix The AIM-54 Phoenix was a long-range air-to-air missile, carried in clusters of up to six missiles on the F-14 Tomcat, the only aircraft capable of carrying it. ... The AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range, Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM (pronounced am-ram), commonly known to air crews as the Slammer, is a new generation air-to-air missile, developed as the result of an agreement between the United States and other NATO countries (see below). ...

Their British-made Pilatus Britten-Norman Defenders were used for support work and transportation purposes. The Britten-Norman Defender is a light aircraft manufactured by Britten-Norman of Britain. ...

Mi-8, Mi-24, Gazelle, Alouette and Puma helicopters were used to counter the attempted Shi'ite and Kurdish revolts between 1992 and 1993. Russian Mi-8 Hip The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a large transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... The Mil Mi-24 is a large combat helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport operated from 1976 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ...

Operation Iraqi Freedom - 2003

On the brink of the US invasion in 2003, Saddam Hussein disregarded his Air Force's wishes to defend the country's airspace against U.S. aircraft and ordered the bulk of his fighters disassembled or buried. Some were later found by US excavation forces around the Al Taqqadum and Al Asad air bases, including MiG-25s and SU-25s.^[3] This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti (28 April 1937 – 30 December 2006) was the fifth President of Iraq and Chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council from 1979 until his overthrow by US forces in 2003. ... , A junked Il-28 Beagle from Saddam Husseins former regime at Al Taqaddum Airbase, Iraq Al Taqaddum Airbase ((Arabic: ‎), or Al Taqaddum AB (ICAO: ORAT), (Called TQ in military shorthand slang), is an airbase that is located in central Iraq, approximately 74 kilometers west of Baghdad, at Habbaniyah. ... Abandoned Iraqi FT-7A in front of Al Asad ATC Tower Map showing Haditha in relation to Al Asad Airbase, the Navea Training center, Hit and Ramadi Al Asad is the largest US military base in the largely Sunni western Iraq (Al Anbar Province). ... MiG 25 Foxbat The MiG-25 (NATO reporting name Foxbat) is a high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft produced by the Soviet Unions Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau. ... Su-25 of the Russian Air Force The Su-25 (NATO reporting name Frogfoot) is a battlefield attack, close air support, and anti-tank aircraft designed by the Soviet Union. ...

Air Force commanders

List incomplete

• 1963, Hardan al-Tikriti^[4]
• 1968, Jassam Mohammed al-Shahir^[5]
• 1978-1983, Mohamed Jessam AL-Jeboury

• 1985, Air Marshal Hamid Sha'aban[2]
• 1990 Muzahim Hassan al-Tikriti^[6]
• mid-1990s to 2003, Hamid Raja Shalah[3]
• 2006 Kamal Barzanji [4]

Hardan ’Abdul Ghaffar al-Tikriti (1925[3] – 30 March 1971[4][5]) was a senior Iraqi Air Force commander, Iraqi politician and ambassador who was assassinated on the orders of Saddam Hussein,[6] the then vice chairman of the Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council. ... An air marshals sleeve/shoulder insignia Air Marshal (Air Mshl or AM) is a rank in the Royal Air Force. ... Hamid Raja Shalah was the former Air Force Commander of Iraq. ...

Current

A U.S. Airman conducts post-flight checks on an IQAF C-130 Hercules.

The Iraqi Air Force, like all Iraqi forces after the 2003 Invasion of Iraq, is being rebuilt as part of the overall programme to build a new Iraqi defence force. In December 2004, the Iraqi ministry of defence signed two contracts worth 132 million USD. The first contract was for the delivery of 20 PZL W-3 Sokół and the training of 10 Iraqi pilots and 25 maintenance personnel. They were intended to be delivered by November 2005, but in April 2005 the company charged with fulfilling the contract announced the delivery would not go ahead as planned, supposedly because the delivery schedule proposed by PZL Swidnik was not good enough. As a result only 2 were delivered in 2005 for testing (All W-3 for Iraq are sold Polish Air Force). The second contract consisted of supplying the Iraqi air force with 24 second-hand (10 sold Polish Air Force), re-worked Mi-17 (Hip's). Currently, 8 have been delivered and 2 more are on their way shortly. The fleet of Hips are already operational. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 398 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 3,216 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 398 × 599 pixelsFull resolution‎ (2,136 × 3,216 pixels, file size: 1. ... This article is about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. ... The PZL W-3 Sokół (Polish for Falcon) is a Polish medium-size, twin-engine, multipurpose helicopter manufactured by PZL-Åšwidnik. ... PZL is an abbreviation name used by three Polish aerospace manufacturers. ... The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) was a Soviet cargo helicopter. ...

An Iraqi Air Force C-130 Hercules on the flightline at Al Basrah International Airport on May 1, 2005.

The Air Force primarily serves as a light reconnaissance and transport operation. On March 4, 2007, the IQAF carried out its first medical evacuation in the city of Baghdad when an injured police officer was airlifted to a hospital. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,072 × 2,304 pixels, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,072 × 2,304 pixels, file size: 1. ... is the 63rd day of the year (64th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ...

In 2007, the USAF's Second Air Force, part of Air Education and Training Command, was given responsibility to provide curricula and advice to the Iraqi Air Force as it stands up its own technical training and branch specific basic training among others. This mission is known as "CAFTT" for Coalition Air Forces Transition Team. Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... The Second Air Force was formed in the United States to provide air defense and train personnel of newly formed units in World War II. The Second was briefly a part of Air Defense Command after the war. ... Air Education and Training Command (AETC) was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. ...

It was reported in December of 2007 that a deal had been reached between the Iraqi government and Serbia for the sale of arms and other military equipment including 36 Lasta 95 basic trainers.^[7] It is speculated that Iraq may buy 50 Gazelle attack helicopters from France. ^[8] Utva-75 Lola Utva (English wild duck) is an aircraft factory (Serbian fabrika aviona) located in Pančevo, near Belgrade, Serbia (ex-Yugoslavia), first founded in 1937 in Zemun, known of its light sporting and training aircraft. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Order of battle

• 2nd Squadron – A helicopter airlift squadron operating sixteen UH-1H Huey helicopters donated by Jordan. The helicopters were refurbished and upgraded by the United States and delivered in 2006-2007.
• 3rd Squadron – A reconnaissance squadron operating 4 Cessna 208 Caravan reconnaissance aircraft, as well as a number of Beechcraft King Air 350 reconaissance aircraft.
• 4th Squadron – A helicopter airlift squadron operating 28 Mil Mi-17 helicopters.
• 12th Flight Training Squadron – A training squadron currently operating a variety of aircraft including Bell 206, Cessna 172, Cessna 208 and Beechcraft King Air 350
• 15th SOF Squadron – A helicopter squadron being formed specifically for the ISOF. The unit will eventually consist of 22 Mi-17-v5 helicopters.
• 23rd Squadron – An airlift squadron operating 3 ex-USAF C-130E Hercules transport aircraft.
• 70th Squadron – A reconnaissance squadron operating 7 CH-2000 light reconnaissance aircraft.

Antonov An-124 loading a container for the Dutch military A large military cargo aircraft: the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III An airlift is the organized delivery of supplies primarily via aircraft. ... // Overview The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the Huey, was a multipurpose military helicopter, famous for its use in the Vietnam war. ... For other uses, see Helicopter (disambiguation). ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan, also known as the Cargomaster, is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Mil Mi-17 The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. ... The Bell Helicopter Model 206 JetRanger is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. ... A 1971 Cessna 172L at Kemble Airfield, England, May 2003 The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan, also known as the Cargomaster, is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) refers to the Iraqi special forces unit created by Coalition forces after the 2003 invasion. ... Mil Mi-17 The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. ... Pre-flight checks being carried out on a 23rd Squadron C-130E. The 23rd Squadron of the Iraqi Air Force is an air transport squadron operating three C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. ... Lockheed C-130H Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop aircraft that serves as the main tactical airlifter for military forces worldwide. ... The 70th Squadron is one of two reconnaissance squadrons of the Iraqi Air Force (the other being the 3rd based in Kirkuk). ... Mixed reconnaissance patrol of the Polish Home Army and the Soviet Red Army during Operation Tempest, 1944 Reconnaissance is the military term for the active gathering of information about an enemy, or other conditions, by physical observation. ... Center panel and radio stack The AMD Alarus CH2000 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training. ...

Aircraft Inventory

Aircraft[9]	Origin	Type	Versions	In service[10]	Notes
Cessna 172 Skyhawk	United States	utility/ basic training		4	12 to be delivered in 2008
Cessna 208 Caravan	United States	utility/ training/ ground surveillance	208B ISR 208B	8 5
Bell UH-1H Iroquois	United States	light-lift utility helicopter	Huey II	16[11]
Bell 206 JetRanger	United States	utility/ training helicopter		5	5 more to be delivered in 2008.
SAMA CH2000	Jordan	liaison		8	8 more to be delivered[12]
Lockheed C-130 Hercules	United States	tactical airlift/ transport	C-130E	3	ex-USAF, 3 more to be delivered
Mil Mi-17 Hip-H	Soviet Union  Russia	medium-lift transport helicopter	Mi-171 Mi-17-1V Mi-17-v5	4 23 0	22 Mi-17v5 variants being purchased thru FMS for use by ISOF. Deliveries to begin in early 2009[13]
Beechcraft King Air 350	United States	light/ VIP transport	350ER	8	24 total to be delivered in 2008.
Beechcraft King Air 350	United States	surveillance and reconnaissance	350ISR	10	24 total to be delivered in 2008.
CASA 212	Brazil	light tactical transport	C-212-400	0	Built by PamaSP in Brazil, 12 total aircraft expected to be delivered by end of 2008. May be canceled.
SA 342 Gazelle	France	light attack/ utility helicopter	SA 342	0	possible sale of up to 50 aircraft from France.

1971 Cessna 172 The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing airplane that is probably the most popular flight training aircraft in the world. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Cessna 208 Caravan, also known as the Cargomaster, is a single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner and utility aircraft built in the USA by Cessna. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The most widely used military helicopter in the world, The Bell UH-1 series Iroquis named after an Native American Indian tribe, but more popularly known as Huey was manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron in the 1950s to served in the infamous Vietnam War. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Bell Helicopter Model 206 JetRanger is a two-bladed main rotor, turbine powered helicopter with a conventional, two-bladed tail rotor. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Center panel and radio stack The AMD Alarus CH2000 is a two-seat, fixed tricycle gear general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Jordan. ... The Lockheed C-130 Hercules, a four-engine turboprop aircraft, is the main tactical air transport aircraft of the United States and UK military forces. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Seal of the Air Force. ... Mil Mi-17 The Mil Mi-17 (Also known as the Mi-8MT, NATO reporting name Hip-H) is a Russian helicopter currently in production at two factories in Kazan and Ulan-Ude. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Russia. ... A program for government-to-government purchases of weapons and other defense articles, defense services, and military training. ... Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) refers to the Iraqi special forces unit created by Coalition forces after the 2003 invasion. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... It has been suggested that this article be split into articles entitled Beechcraft King Air and Beechcraft Super King Air, accessible from a disambiguation page. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The CASA C.212 Aviocar is a turboprop-powered STOL medium transport aircraft designed and built in Spain for civil and military use. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... The Gazelle is a French-designed helicopter, created by the company Sud Aviation, that later became Aérospatiale, and later still Eurocopter. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Unknown

Several pre-war types have been reported on inventory or in storage, though the conditions of such aircraft are unknown:

Combat Aircraft

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Chengdu F-7 Airguard	People's Republic of China	combat fighter		80	May possibly still be in service or in storage in case of future need.
Dassault Mirage F1	France	combat fighter		53
Dassault Super Etendard	France	combat fighter		5	As reported, they were returned to France after the arrival of the first Mirage F1EQ-5 fighters.

Training Aircraft The Chengdu J-7 (export versions are designated F-7) is a Peoples Republic of China_built fighter jet derived from the Russian MiG-21. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Dassault Mirage F1 is a single-seat air-superiority fighter and attack aircraft built by Dassault Aviation of France. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... The Dassault Super Etendard is a French carrier-borne strike fighter in service with the French and Argentine Navy. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ...

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Aero L-29 Delfin	Czechoslovakia	trainer		20
Aero L-39 Albatros	Czechoslovakia	trainer		59

Transport Aircraft The Aero L-29 Delfin (Czech: Dolphin, NATO reporting name: Maya) was a military jet trainer aircraft that became the standard jet trainer for the air forces Warsaw Pact nations in the 1960s. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Czechoslovakia. ... L-39C Albatros Slovak L-39 ZA at Radom Air Show 2005 The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance, jet trainer aircraft developed in Czechoslovakia during the 1960s to replace the L-29 Delfín. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Czechoslovakia. ...

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Antonov An-2 Colt	Soviet Union	transport		10
Antonov An-12 Cub	Soviet Union	transport		12
Antonov An-24 Coke	Soviet Union /  Ukraine	transport		24
Antonov An-26 Curl	Soviet Union	transport		2

Helicopters The Antonov An-2 (Russian nickname: кукуру́зник kukuruznik - a kolkhoz maize worker (inherited from Polikarpov Po-2) also nicknamed Annushka; NATO code name Colt) is an extremely durable, light, single-engine biplane which first flew in 31 August 1947 and was first plane designed by Antonov. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... The Antonov An-12 (NATO reporting name: Cub) is a four-engined turboprop transport aircraft. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... The Antonov An-24 is a 44-seat twin turboprop transport manufactured in USSR (now Ukraine) by the Antonov Design Bureau. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ukraine. ... Romanian Air Force Antonov An-26 The Antonov An-26 (NATO reporting name: Curl) is a 2-engined light prop transport aircraft and is a development of the An-24 passenger aircraft, with particular attention made to the potential military use. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ...

Aircraft	Origin	Type	Versions	In service	Notes
Mil Mi-24 Hind	Soviet Union	attack helicopter		?
Mil Mi-8 Hip	Soviet Union	transport helicopter		?

The Mil Mi-24 (Cyrillic Миль Ми-24, NATO reporting name Hind) is a large helicopter gunship and low-capacity troop transport produced by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant and operated from 1972 by the Soviet Air Force, its successors, and over thirty other nations. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ... The Mil Mi-8 (NATO reporting name Hip) is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Soviet_Union. ...

See also

• Iraqi Security Forces
• Abed Hamed Mowhoush

Iraqi army soldiers from 4th Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Division stand outside an Iraqi army compound in Buhriz, Iraq, Jan. ... Abed Hamed Mowhoush, the former Iraqi Head of the Iraqi Air Force, died on Nov. ...

References