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:

Iran's F-4 Phantoms become operational, 47 years ago

Historical imagery from 18 September 1968 published by Islamic Republic News Agency, commemorating the operational ceremony at Mehrabad Airbase (TFB-1) for initial batch of McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bombers delivered to the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF).

Three IIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bombers at Tehran/Mehrabad TFB-1

IIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, 14873 / 3-604

Aviation ground equipment beside IIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantoms

Foreground: IIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II, 14873 / 3-604

Flypast of newly operational IIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II aircraft at Mehrabad Airbase. Note in-flight, lowered landing gear.

Speaking at the ceremony: General Mohammad Amir Khatami, Chief of Staff for the Imperial Iranian Air Force

 

Background, left: IIAF General Mohammad Amir Khatami. Khatami was married to Princess Fatimeh Pahlavi . The general was killed in a kiting accident on 12 September 1975.

While serving as an officer of Imperial Iranian Air Force, a declassified  CIA report claims that Khatami accumulated a personal fortune of $442 million in today's money. Fortunes such as these amassed by family members and close associates of the shah factored into popular outrage, culminating in the 1979 revolution and subsequent establishment of the Islamic Republic.

Iranian F-4D aircraft as it appears today remaining in service with Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force

[photo: Shahram Sharifi]

IRIAF aircraft of Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10

Observations made on recently released, undated photos uploaded at AJA.ir

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D fighter-bomber of 101st TFS, before hardened aircraft shelter at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D "Dowran" fighter-bomber of 101st TFS. Note in background air traffic control tower for Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D "Dowran" fighter-bomber takeing flight at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D "Dowran" fighter-bomber. Note emblem on intake denoting "Dowran" specification upgrade of Phantom II by IACA.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D fighter-bombers of 101st TFS, taxiing at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D fighter-bombers of 101st TFS, take flight at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber, taxiing at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber aircrew of 101st TFS

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber of 101st TFS, taxiing at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber of 101st TFS, depicting night operating of aircraft at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

Ground crew servicing of IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber, within hardened aircraft shelter at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber, serial 3-6697 / 14878 (cn 3213)

Partially disassembled IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4D Phantom II fighter-bomber

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ multi-role fighter of 102nd TFS, taking off at at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ and F1BQ multi-role fighters of 102nd TFS, at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1 multi-role fighter of 102nd TFS

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter of 102nd TFS, taxiing at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1 multi-role fighter pilot of 102nd TFS

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter of 102nd TFS, taking off at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter. Note emblem on side of intake.

Ground crew direction of IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

Climb of IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter of 102nd TFS

Climb of two IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1 multi-role fighters from Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighters of 102nd TFS, at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10

Dassault Mirage F1BQ multi-role fighter beside hardened aircraft shelter at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

Said to be Iranian-built flight simulator for Dassault Mirage F1 multi-role fighter

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1 multi-role fighter in state of partial disassembly, hardened aircraft shelter at Chabahar/Shahidan Dellhamed TAB-10.

IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ6, serial 3-6212 (IrAF #4651) still retaining anti-ship grey scheme from previous IrAF service.

Photos: Nahaja.Aja.ir

What IRIAF intervention in Iraq means for Iran-led coalition forces against ISIL

Commentary by Mark Pyruz on IHS Jane's 360 report: "Iranian Phantom jet strikes the Islamic State in Iraq" by Gareth Jennings, dated 30NOV14.

File photo of IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II, of the type supporting Iran-led coalition forces against ISIL in Iraq

Photo: Mohammad Razzazan

COMMENTARY: Earlier in the year there'd been rumors of IRIAF participation in the Iraqi theater of war against ISIL; now with this recently provided Al-Jazeera footage there exists evidence of just such an intervention taking place, in support of Iran-led coalition forces.

The Al-Jazeera footage supports the claim IRIAF F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers have conducted at least six combat sorties, assisting to repel an ISIL counterattack against Iran-led forces near the town of Sa'adiya, Iraq.

Aviation writer Babak T states this fall's IRIAF "gunnery training competition" was scrubbed in the lead-up to these combat missions flown against ISIL in Iraq. Source also indicates IRIAF Su-24MK "Fencer-D" aircraft from 72nd TFS have been shifted from Shiraz/Shahid Dowran TAB 7 to a forward base in western Iran for potential combat missions against ISIL in Iraq.

IRIAF F-4E aircraft of 31st TFS for a previous year's gunnery training competition at Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TAB 2

Photo: Babak T

There are a couple of errors in Mr. Jenning's report at IHS Jane's 360 deserving correction:

1) Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" close air support aircraft provided by Iran to Iraq were supplied by IRGC-AF, not IRIAF.

2) Open source evidence exists of quantities and types of Iranian-supplied weaponry in Iraq in excess of those identified by Mr. Jenning.

Gareth Jennings provides an opinion that the two coalitions against ISIL-- one U.S.-led and one Iran-led-- "should they happen to cross paths over the coming weeks and months it would no doubt muddy still further an already complicated conflict." This UOI writer sees combat missions flown by IRIAF over Iraq  suggesting a level of communication if not coordination with American military forces, in at least as much as pre-informing mission planning. Same applies to SyAAF strikes against ISIL in Syria, where on a given day SyAAF flies combat sorties against ISIL positions at Raqqa [click HERE], subsequently undertaken by U.S.-led coalition forces [click HERE].

The IRIAF intervention brings into focus two aspects of the Iran-led coalition against ISIL in Iraq:

1) The Iran-led coalition against ISIL in Iraq comprises an Artesh component, as addition to the IRGC-QF component most often made visible by Western and Iranian media sources. With IRGC-QF supplied Su-25 aircraft apparently returned to Iran for service/repair, IRIAF now appears engaged.

2) Whereas the U.S.-led approach to the war against ISIL in Iraq and Syria is reportedly under constant review [click HERE], subject to a forced change at the SecDef position [click HERE] and a pushback for commencement date of U.S.-supported Iraqi offensive from spring to somewhere unspecified in late 2015 [click HERE], the Iranians appear to take a more here-and-now approach to their war effort. As in Syria, more limited, incremental gains are pursued using combinations of reliable ground forces-- be they existing elements of host nation regular army, paramilitary police and security forces, and allied sectarian militias.

Old workhorse American-made F-4 Phantom II aircraft, as well as American training provided during the 1970s, continue to serve as the basis in providing Iran with an air force apparently still capable of effecting tactical results on the battlefield. Additionally, Iranian technical improvisation in keeping these 40-year-old jets operational without manufacturer support, while engineering what are essentially improvised air-launched weapons, should not be so readily dismissed as has so often been the case among Western defense circles.

Iranian-built Ghassed type precision-guided munition (PGM) 

Iranian F-4 Phantom Jet Striking ISIL Positions in Iraq

An Iranian F-4 Phantom II jet has struck Islamic State positions in eastern Iraqi province of Diyala, footage shot by Al Jazeera shows. (HIS Jane’s 360, 1 December)

Iran and Turkey are the only regional operators of F-4, and the location of the incident is not far from the Iranian border. The Al Jazeera footage was shot late November and shows the F-4 supporting Iraqi forces recapturing the town of Saadiya. In that timeframe, the Shia militias, under the direction of Iran’s Quds Force, and the Iraqi Army staged major joint operations to liberate Saadiya and Jalula.

This is the first report of Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) jets flying combat missions in Iraq against ISIL. The report could better explain the successful battles of Saadiya and Jalula, having IRIAF's air support. The number of IRIAF F-4s taking part in the campaigns was not reported. They probably took off from air bases in western Iran.

IHS Jane’s, pointing to video footage and photographs shown on social media site, repots that Shia militias in Iraq are increasingly using Iranian military hardware, including 12.7 mm AM-50 anti-material rife, Safir jeeps mounted with a 107 mm multiple rocket launchers (MRL), and 122 mm HM 20 MRL.

Photo credit: Footage aired by Al Jazeera shows at least one F-4 Phantom II jet striking ISIL positions in Diyala province, Iraq. (Al Jazeera/HIS Jane’s 360)

Iran F-4 Phantom Crashes

Killing Pilot and Co-Pilot

An IRIAF F-4E Phantom II fighter jet crashed in southern Fars province on Tuesday. The pilot and the co-pilot were killed. IRIAF Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohammadi, the Air Force commander for Fars region, confirmed the news late today.

Gen. Mohammadi said the F-4E was based at Bandar Abbas AFB, but had taken off from Shiraz and crashed at 11:15 am local time (0645 GMT) near Bakhtegan Lake in Fars province. The identities of the pilots were not released. (ISNA/Press TV, 15 July)

Last September, another F-4E fighter crashed while landing at Bushehr AFB, killing its pilot. Two other F-4s also crashed in 2010 and 2012 in Bushehr and Bandar Abbas respectively.

Iran purchased some 260 F-4s during the Shah’s government in late 1960s and 70s. The first combat use of F-4s was in 1975 when the Shah supported Omani government against the separatist rebels in Dhofar. The F-4s also played key role in the 8-year Iran-Iraq war. To this day the F-4 remains the workhorse of IRIAF, with an estimated 55 F-4s still operational. Last year, the Phantoms were fitted with Qader anti-ship cruise missiles to give Iran air-launched cruise missile capability.

File photo: IRIAF F-4E Phantom II over Tehran. March 2013. (theaviationist.com)