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Saturday, July 11, 2015

Iraqi F-16 fighters depart Tuscon, staging toward Balad Air Base, Iraq

Steven Valinski writes at Aviation Photography Digest:
According to a report on Scramble.nl, a source for aircraft movements worldwide, at least four Iraqi Lockheed Martin F-16IQ block 52’s landed at Lajes Field, located in the Azores, Portugal, on Thursday evening. The departure of the F-16’s from Tucson International Airport signifies the readiness of Joint Base Balad, located north of Baghdad, to receive the aircraft.
COMMENTARY: Steven Valinski's above linked article and photos are worth a lookover.

Roster of aircraft departed TUS for TER, staging for an estimated 12JUL15 delivery to OR9 appears to include the following:

IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16IQ (D Block 52) serial 1601
[photo: Steven Valinski]

IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16IQ (D Block 52) serial 1602
[photo: Steven Valinski]

IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16IQ (D Block 52) serial 1604
[photo: Steven Valinski]

IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16IQ (C Block 52) serial 1607
[photo: Steven Valinski]

Destination: delivery to Iraqi Air Force Balad Air Base (OR9)

6 comments:

  1. Good news for the Iraqis, they surely need it.

    It’s possible IqAF F-16IQ (D Block 52) #1601 that crashed last month in Arizona may have been F-16IQ (C Block 52) #1609. As seen above, a #1601 photographed at TER.

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  2. Good, Iran needed new planes, sorry I meant "Iraq".

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  3. Iran after nuclear agreement can buy fightes everywhere. And Us F-16 is not the best nor the most modern but still very expensive.
    I think Iran will buy again russian warplanes and they will assemble them in iran like SU-35. This is a fighter!!!!
    And cheaper!!!!!!!!!! Us not good only expensive. So Irak can keep them

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    Replies
    1. Brig. Gen. Basrawi (IQAF.net)July 14, 2015 at 5:00 AM

      Sorry to inform you, Iran won't be getting any new aircraft anytime soon.

      Delete
    2. Not till 5 years! But can order now and get the PAK-Fa by 2020 or later! Anyway that was the original plan by Sukhoi anyways.

      Delete
  4. Addition of this F-16 warplanes will be the boost for Iraq military.It is the top tier fighting plane.Looking these things Iraqis are taking care of their country.

    ReplyDelete