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
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.
Iran media imager depicting NEZAJA 'Muhammad Rasulullah 3' ("Muhammad the Messenger of God 3") military exercise involving 177th Independent Infantry Brigade and 38th Independent Armored Brigade, taking place 17NOV15 at Iran's eastern city of Torbat-e Jam in Khorasan Razavi Province:
Main armament of NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank
NEZAJA 2nd lieutenant (L) and 2nd warrant officer (R) atop T-72 main battle tank turret
NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank firing main armament
NEZAJA T-72 type main battle tank alomngside technical equipped with ZU-23-2 autocannon
IRIAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter-bombers of 141st TFS from Mashhad/Shahid Hashemi Nejad TFB-14
IRIAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter-bombers of 141st TFS from Mashhad/Shahid Hashemi Nejad TFB-14
IRIAF Northrop F-5 Tiger II fighter-bomber of 141st TFS from Mashhad/Shahid Hashemi Nejad TFB-14
IRIAA Bell AH-1J International Cobra (209), serial 3-4437 (cn 26637) of Attack Squadron from 5th Support & Assault Group.
IRIAA Bell (Agusta) AB-206B JetRanger II of Reconnaissance Squadron from 5th Support & Assault Group
Ghods Mohajer (“Migrant”) type reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
Syrian Arab Republic media on 04NOV15 claimed its forces have reestablished line of communication (LOC) to western Aleppo, by means of securing the Ithriya-Khannaser highway.
SOHR confirmed the Syrian Arab Republic frontline with ISIL had been successfully pushed forward about 10 kilometers from the route.
Following consists of social media imagery uploaded this week depicting Pro-Syrian government and Iran-backed forces on the southern approaches to Aleppo:
Pro-Syrian government T-72 main battle tank display ISIL flag trophy, claimed depiction on the Ithriya-Khannaser Highway.
Pro-government supply vehicle claimed carrying supplies on the Ithriya-Khannaser Highway, on 04NOV15 breaking the siege imposed on Western Aleppo by ISIL.
Syrian Arab Republic supply convoy along Ithriya-Khannaser Highway
Syrian Arab Republic forces along Ithriya-Khannaser Highway
Light infantry belonging to force fighting on the side of the Syrian Arab Republic, securing the Ithriya-Khannaser Highway.
Armor and motorized infantry belonging to forces of fighting on the side of Syrian Arab Republic, at the Ithriya-Khannaser Highway. [photo:AFP]
Iran-backed forces equipped with Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicles; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed forces equipped with Iran-supplied Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicles; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Motorized infantry on motorbikes in manner of deployment consistent with IRGC/Basij; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed forces deploying 2S1 Gvozdika ("Carnation") type 122 mm self-propelled howitzers,;claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed forces deploying improvised rocket-assisted munition (IRAM) launcher vehicles; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed Iraqi Katai'b Hezbollah fighting force fielding T-72 main battle tanks; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed Iraqi Katai'b Hezbollah fighting force members equipped with M16 type assault rifle and PKM general purpose machine gun; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
Iran-backed Iraqi Katai'b Hezbollah fighting force member equipped with SPG-9 Kopye (“Spear”) 73 mm recoilless gun; claimed depiction at the southern approaches to Aleppo.
IRIAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382), serial 5-8552 (cn 382-4594) at a Syrian airbase, supporting Iranian mission in Syria. Figure in foreground is a SyAAF colonel, possibly base commandfer.
IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi (L) with PLAAF Commander Gen. Ma Xiaotian (R), on 01NOV15 in Beijing, China.
IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi on 01NOV15 arrived with an Iranian military delegation at Beijing, China, upon invitation of PLAAF Commander General Ma Xiaotian.
During his four-day visit Shah-Safi will reportedly tour China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation (CATIC), as well as Nanjing Research Institute of Electronics Technology (NRIET).
Shah-Safi on 04NOV15 is scheduled to meet with PLAAF Gen. Xu Qiliang, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the Communist Party of China.
The Iranian delegation on 05NOV15 plans to tour PLAAF 19th Fighter Division at Jinan, and the Air Force Engineering Faculty at Xi'an. Additionally, there are plans to tour Xi'an Aircraft Industrial Corporation (XAC) and Xi'an Flight Automatic Control Research Institute (FACRI).
COMMENTARY: There are indications PRC and IRI are to engage in renewed military hardware and technology transfers, following the implementation of JCPOA and subsequent repeal of sanctions.
It is further expected Iran will become a member of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), that includes a military dimension. From the perspective of SCO members, current challenges include conflict at Ukraine, and a territorial dispute on the South China Sea. Iran, as a regional power, may be seen in this context as potentially contributing towards a balance of power relative to the U.S.-led security order.
Members of the Iranian military delegation with their Chinese counterparts, on 01NOV15 in Beijing
IRIAF Commander Brig. Gen. Hassan Shah-Safi with military delegation upon their arrival at Beijing. By the setting and personal appearance, it's likely they travelled by means of Iranian commercial carrier flight.
