IRIAF combat aircraft, units escorting RuAF strategic aviation against ISIL

Illustration by Babak Taghvaee (click to enlarge) detailing IRIAF escort of RuAF strategic aviation transiting Iran to attack ISIL, Al-Qaeda (AQ) and AQ-aligned armed groups in Syria. From Mr. Taghvaee's observations, the following Iranian combat aircraft types, units and base locations include:

IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B) air superiority fighters (x2)
11th Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers (x4)
31st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters (x4)
81st/82nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan

File photo by Rahim Sharafi: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II of 31st TFS from Shahid Nojeh Tactical Air Base (TAB-3) – Hamedan.

File photo by Babak Taghvaee: IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29B (9-12B), serial 3-6133 of 11th TFS from Shahid Lashkari Tactical Air Base (TAB-1) – Tehran.

File photo by MohammadReza Izadi: IRIAF F-14A Tomcats of 81st/82nd TFS from Shahid Babei Tactical Air Base (TAB-8) – Isfahan.

Photo emerging 21NOV15 of errant RuAF Kh-101 ALCM that landed in Shush County, Khuzestan

Iran's Air Force escorts Russian strategic aviation during airstrike against ISIL

Social media video emerged 20NOV15 depicting Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) F-14A and F-4E combat aircraft rendering allied fighter escort for Russian Air Force (RuAF) strategic aviation over Iranian airspace. The Russian video depicts RuAF strategic aviation comprised of Tu-22M3 “Blinder’, Tu-95MS “Bear” and Tu-160 “Blackjack" combat aircraft. Video stills and complete video provided below:

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighter, as filmed by RuAF crewman while traversing Iranian airspace.

IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform over Iranian airspace.

What appears to be an IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E fighter-bomber accompanying RuAF Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bomber and missile platform, emerging in Russian cameraman's LOS immediately following the drop-launch of ALCM. Next ALCM is now visible on rotated launcher.

COMMENTARY: IRIAF can now claim to have participated in the war against ISIL on two theaters: the Iraqi theater and now the Syrian theaters of war.

The Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin is scheduled to meet Iranian Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on 23NOV15 in Tehran.

COMPLETE VIDEO:

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat MRO facility at Isfahan/Shahid Baba'ie TAB-8

One of three IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat fighter aircraft depicted in a 14FEB15 FARS pictorial; above aircraft at recess of MRO facility hangar seen in a stage of overhaul, lifted at three jack points.

Aircraft with open access panel; attention provided to aircraft's ACM, water separation unit

Aircraft wing control surfaces, receiving attention from IRIAF ground crew technicians

Aircraft seen lifted at three jack points, wings removed 

Aircraft's Pratt & Whitney TF-30-414 turbofan engines removed

Second IRIAF F-14 fighter aircraft in FARS pictorial, depicted in the forward section of MRO hangar. Access panels open enabling service to (left to right): coolant, liquid oxygen and AN/AWG-9 radar electronics.

Two generations of IRIAF ground crew technicians. According to aviation write Babak Taghvaee, older technicians were brought back from retirement between 2006 to 2007, following a period between 1994 and 1998 where a large number were retired without transferring their knowledge to the younger generation, resulting in a dramatic increase of Not Operationally Ready, Maintenance (NORM) status aircraft.

Foreground: IRIAF ground crew technicians working at open lower aft access panels to F-14A. Visible inside left inlet is engine compressor face.

IRIAF ground crew technician seen working within F-14A cockpit. Visible is RIO instrument panel, upper shroud section removed.

Pan view of the MRO hangar, with first aircraft seen in the recess, and second aircraft being serviced appearing in photo foreground.

Second aircraft seen from behind, at the forward section of the MRO hangar

Aircraft upper fuselage panels removed

IRIAF second lieutenant providing attention to a Martin-Baker GRU-7A ejection seat

Elderly IRIAF technician performing work on electronics component of F-14A Tomcat. Note drawer containing segregated bench stock.

Third IRIAF F-14A aircraft depicted in FARS pictorial, seen operated on an apron at TAB-8 

IRIAF F-14A Tomcat, serial markings removed

Forwards fuselage view, IRIAF F-14A Tomcat

Aft fuselage view, IRIAF F-14A Tomcat

Photos: Hamed Jafarnejad at Fars News Agency

IRIAF provided with newly operational F-14 Tomcat at TAB 8

Above: video still from Iranian television news, claiming recently overhauled F-14A type "Tomcat" now again operational with IRIAF after 14 years in storage.

Aircraft forward fuselage serial partially discerned as 3-60*9. Vertical stabilizer marking denotes TAB 8.

Location is Isfahan/Shahid Baba'ie TAB 8.

Below, Iranian television news media clip (in Persian) with interview of IRIAF brigadier general 2C:

IRIAF F-14 in Combat - Video Parts 4 & 5 (Persian)

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat in Combat Part 4: "Tomcat vs. Foxbat"

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat in Combat Part 5a: "Battle Over the Persian Gulf"

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat in Combat Part 5b: "Battle Over the Persian Gulf" (cont.)

For IRIAF F-14 Tomcat in Combat Parts 1 and 2, click HERE

For IRIAF F-14 Tomcat in Combat Part 3, click HERE

IRIAF F-14 in Combat - Video Part 3 (Persian)

Part 3: "Phantom Cover"

 

For Parts 1 and 2, click HERE.

IRIAF F-14 in Combat - Video Part 1 & 2 (Persian)

Iran television documentary on the F-14 "Persian Cat" in service with the IIAF and IRIAF, in four parts. Here are links to the first two parts:

Part 1: "History" 

Part 2: "First Kills"

Iran Air Force F-14A Crashes – Crew Killed

An Iranian F-14A fighter jet has crashed near the city of Bushehr, killing both the pilot and radar intercept officer. Fars News Agency reported that the crash happened on Thursday morning and was due to technical failures without providing any further details. The US-made F-14As were purchased before the revolution by the shah.

Military Day aviation practice runs

IRIAF and IRIAA practice runs in anticipation of Military Day, 1390 (2011).

click photos to enlarge

IRIAF Su-24MK attack aircraft; what Iran considers "strategic fighters"

This Military Day air show is slated to showcase Iran's "strategic fighters"

IRIAF F-4E Phantom II fighter-bomber, upon landing at Mehrabad TFB.1

Formation of F-4E fighter-bombers

Technicians tending to a HESA Saegah demonstration aircraft

Saegah (Thunderbolt) demonstration aircraft, cleared for takeoff

IRIAF Saegah and F-5F Tiger II

IRIAF F-14A Tomcat air superiority fighters

Iranian Tomcat with variable wings extended

Experienced "Persian Cat" aircrews

IRIAF F-14 Tomcat formation

Lineup of IRIAF F-4E Phantoms and F-14A Tomcats

IRIAF MiG-29UB (9-51) Fulcrum-B

IRIAF MiG-29UB aircrew

IRIAF MiG-29 formation over Tehran

IRIAA Bell 214A Isfahan medium-lift helicopter

IRIAA Bell AH-1J Sea Cobra (209) attack helicopter

IRIAA Elicotteri Meridionali CH-47C Chinook (219) transport helicopters

Airbase security detail march past an IRIAA Agusta AB-205A-1

multipurpose utility helicopter

Photos:

Hassan Mousavi & Hamed Jafarnejad at Fars News Agency

IIPA

Rouhollah Vahdati at Iranian Student's News Agency

Unidentified photographer