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)

Two Iraqi F-16IQ aircraft delivered to Tuscon ANGB

The first two IqAF F-16IQ aircraft have been delivered 16DEC14 to Tuscon ANGB from NAS Fort Worth JRB. These are F-16IQ (D Block 52) serials 1601 and 1602. These aircraft were originally scheduled for delivery to Balad Air Base (OR9 / ORBD) but USG instead decided to deliver to Tuscon AZ, due to ISIL advances resulting from the 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive. Training at Tuscon ANGB is being conducted by Arizona ANG 162nd Wing.

The two F-16s delivered represent the initial batch of eight aircraft, to be flown to Tuscon ANGB from NAS Fort Worth JRB. Six more are scheduled to be delivered over the next five months; the next likely serials being 1603 (D Block 52) and 1607 (C Block 52).

IqAF Capt Hama before F-16IQ (D Block 52), serial 1601

[USAF photo by SrA Jordan Castelan]

USAF Lt Col Julian Pacheco and IqAF Capt Hama land IqAF F-16IQ (D Block 52, serial 1602

[USAF photo by SrA Jordan Castelan]

‘Iranian Airpower In Iraq’ as detailed at Business Insider

The following are comments by Mark Pyruz in reference to Joel Wing’s post of 16DEC14 at the "Musings on Iraq" blog titled “Iranian Airpower In Iraq,” which was reposted at Business Insider. Joel Wing’s writing identified in italicized blockquotes, followed by commentary:

Iranian planes supported an Iraqi military operation to retake two villages from the Islamic State (ISF) in Diyala. In the middle of November Iraqi Security Forces, militias, and the peshmerga started a campaign to retake Jalawla and Sadiya in northeast Diyala, which was completed on November 23. During that period Al Jazeera filmed an Iranian F-4 Phantom jet flying over the area. According to an Iranian military expert, Tehran was carrying out air missions there from November 18-23 using F-5 and F-4 jets, and UAVs. The planes were said to be flying out of Kermanshah air base in Iran.

COMMENTARY: Mr. Wing cites an article at Zawya.com in identifying Kermanshah as the airbase used by IRIAF for strikes against ISIL in northeast Diyala Governate.

The air facility at Kermanshah is Shahid Ashrafi Esfahani Airport (KSH / OICC). This facility maintains a civilian airport and Iran Army Aviation base for rotary wing aircraft. It is possible IRIAF is using this facility as a forward air base for combat missions in support of allied forces in Iraq.

Iran is providing training to Iraqi pilots on Su-25s, and MiG-23s and 29s at the Kermanshah air base. The Iraqi Air Force is undermanned and lacks fighter jets and trained pilots.

COMMENTARY: Mr. Wing uses the same source at Zawya.com in providing these details. It should be pointed out that IRIAF and IRGC-AF do not possess Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 aircraft and would not be capable of providing training for this type. Moreover, the air facility at Kermanshah would not be ideal for the training of Iraqi pilots.

Were Iraqi pilots to be trained by IRGC-QF on Sukhoi Su-25 CAS aircraft, a much more suitable location would be the IRGC-AF fighter squadron base at Shiraz.

Likewise a more suitable IRIAF training base for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 would be Tabriz/Shaheed Fakouri TAB-2, or Tehran/Mehrabad TAB-1.

These discrepancies serve to undermine related aspects of Mr. Wing’s piece.

In addition to the Al Jazeera segment, additional footage of IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers in action over Iraq has surfaced on social media. Below are video stills and the complete video segment posted 07DEC14 on YouTube:

Still from video claiming to depict Nov. 2014 airstrike by IRIAF F-4E Phantom II fighter-bombers, engaging in combat mission over Sa'adiya, Iraq.

Subsequent still from video claiming to depict Nov. 2014 airstrike by IRIAF F-4E fighter-bombers. Proximity of allied Shia militia fighting forces suggests close air support (CAS), possibly utilizing GBUs.

Complete video segment depicting claimed IRIAF airstrike at at Sa'adiya, Iraq

Also of interest is this CBS News video broadcast 16DEC14, titled "Iraqis come to U.S. for F-16 jets and training." Complete segment can be seen HERE.

Responding to a question, an IqAF pilot states he is ready to fly combat missions in defense of Iraq against ISIL. By the number of Arizona ANG F-16C/D aircraft visible at Tucson Air National Guard Base, it does appear these Iraqi pilots could potentially be provided with available F-16s for combat missions against ISIL, were a political decision be made in Washington. This in addition to the few F-16IQ aircraft now delivered to Tuscon ANGB, or in flight trials at NAS Forth Worth JRB.

This week's observation of IqAAC and IqAF

Iraqi MOD media release depicting IqAAC receiving additional Mil Mi-28NE 'Havoc' (Night Hunter) attack helicopters (expected serials YI-281, YI-282 and YI-283). Seen above is IA lieutenant general, graduate of Iraqi command/staff college.

Iraqi MOD media release depicting IqAAC Mil Mi-8/171E transport helicopters, performing humanitarian operations in relief of Amerli.

Former IRGC-AF Su-25KM close air support aircraft spotted in flight above Baghdad, likely operating out of Rasheed Air Base. Aircraft is seen equipped with B-series rocket pods for use with S-8 type rockets.

IRGC-QF has reportedly established a special control center at Rasheed Air Base, deploying a SIGINT unit and operating Ghods Abibil medium-range reconnaissance/surveillance UAVs.

U.S. official: 'Iranian flights manned by Iranian pilots' against Islamic State

By Mark Pyruz

Above: file image of IRGC-AF Su-25 aircraft, now in Iraq for combat missions against "Islamic State" 

According to The Hill:

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said Friday that Iran and Russia were helping Iraq battle a Sunni extremist insurgency but that the U.S. was not coordinating its own assistance with either country.

"We are aware of the Iranian and Russian efforts to help the Iraqis, but we are not involved in coordinating any missions," Hagel said.

Hagel’s comments came after reports quoted Iraqi military officials saying that Iran and Russia were conducting airstrikes in their country, hitting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets. A Pentagon official said the U.S. believes Iranian pilots are in the air in Iraq but not Russian pilots.

"We believe that there are some manned Iranian flights manned by Iranian pilots," the official said. "There's nothing that indicates there are Russian pilots flying around."

Commentary: This appears to serve as a form of cooroboration for open source rumors regarding less than operational condition of ex-RuAF Su-25 aircraft (as well as a lack of required technical resources) Russia recently airlifted to Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Base; while at least three operational IRGC-AF Su-25s have been successfully flown to al-Muthanna Air Base at Baghdad.

This further serves to validate this writer's impression that IRGC-AF air and ground crews are functioning in Iraq, in ways similar to American armed forces Farm Gate operations during early U.S. efforts in the Vietnam War.

Ex-Iranian Su-25 aircraft in IqAF service - video analysis

Stills from Iraqi Ministry of Defense promotional video of former IRGC-AS Su-25 aircraft seen in IqAF service:

IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25 close air support aircraft fitted with PTB-800 external fuel tanks and OFAB-250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs, using BD3-25 universal pylons.

Background: IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25UBK close air support aircraft; former serial 15-2458 seen retaining last two digits "58." Aircraft fitted with four OFAB-250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs using BD3-25 universal pylons.

Ground crew wearing IqAF type BDU pushing carrier loaded with FAB-500M-62 high explosive bomb

Detail of OFAB-250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs attached to Su-25 using BD3-25 universal pylons.

IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25 close air support aircraft fitted with four OFAB-250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs, using BD3-25 universal pylons.

IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25K close air support aircraft; former serial 15-2456 seen retaining last two digits "56." Aircraft fitted with four OFAB-250-270 high explosive fragmentation bombs using BD3-25 universal pylons. Note crudely stenciled Iraqi national flag emblem.

Flight deck detail of IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25 close air support aircraft

Su-25 aircrew bearing shoulderboard insignia of what appears to be an IqAF major

IqAF (former IRGC-AF) Su-25K close air support aircraft taxiing on runway, fitted with two PTB-800 external fuel tanks using BD3-25 universal pylons.

Complete Iraqi MoD promotional video:

*Note: 06JUL14, IqAF Su-25 aircraft targeted a bridge connecting Zab, south of Kirkuk, to an area north of Salah ad-Din. Precision airstrike suggests indicative of Russian or Iranian aircrew.

IRGC-AF intervention in the 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive

 

Above: IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-25 type "Frogfoot" seen upon transfer to Iraq 

IRGC-AF has transfered all it's operational Su-25 type close air support aircraft to Iraq to be employed against ISIL and it's allies during the ongoing 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive.

The seven Su-25 type aircraft are now deployed at Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Force Base (ICAO: ORTL / LID: TAL), along with recently delivered ex-RuAF Su-25 type aircraft.

 Video of IRGC-AF delivery to Iraq (Iraqi media): 

Three of the seven IRGC-AF aircraft are 15-2459 (Su-25UBK delivered from Ulan-Udeh Aviation Plant and serviced by Georgian technicians in January 2003), 15-2451 (overhauled and updated by Pars Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility in 2011) and 15-2456 (overhauled and updated by Pars in 2012). One additional Su-25K (15-2450) is said to be scheduled for future delivery to Iraq following overhaul and update by Pars. [sources: Airliners.net and ACIG.org member]

It is said IRGC-AF transferred aircraft (three two-seater Su-25UBK and four single-seat Su-25KM) are operated by four IqAF and ten IRGC-AF pilots. It is further said combat operations commenced 01JUL14. [source: ACIG.org member]

The aircraft transfer and support contract is said to provide Iran's IRGC-AF with six Sukhoi Su-30K multirole combat aircraft previously designated for Iraq. It has been further speculated future IRGC-AF Su-30 aircraft will be deployed at BuMusa ("Abu Musa") Island. [source: ACIG.org member]

The aircraft transfer deal appears in effect with American acquiescence or approval.

There are also indications reported by Aviationist blog and "Jassem Al Salami" at WIB blog that Iranian combat aviation forces have possibly conducted bombing missions at Baiji on 21JUN14.

COMMENTARY: IRGC-AF participation may appear similar in ways to American Farm Gate operations during early U.S. military efforts in the Vietnam War. As such, it's possible these IRGC-AF flown and/or assisted combat missions could likewise be the harbinger of ever greater commitments by Iran, as occurred with American military involvement in Vietnam following the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident.

File photos of IRGC-AF Su-25 type aircraft:

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24UBK, serial 15-2459  (MAY09 / Reza Hajari)

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24K, serial 15-2454  (09OCT03 / Arash-Naghib-Lahoufi)

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24K, serial 15-2455  (22MAR12 / Hamid Reza Jafari)

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24K, serial 15-2456  (08FEB12 / Amir Mahdavi)

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24UBK, serial 15-2457  (04DEC10 / Babak T) 

IRGC-AF Sukhoi Su-24UBK, serial 15-2458  (18AUG11 / Omid Farhat)

RuAF delivery of Su-25 combat aircraft to IqAF

RuAF delivery of Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot" close air support aircraft to IqAF on 29JUN14

IqAF Su-25 combat aircraft presently undergoing assembly at Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Force Base (ICAO: ORTL / LID: TAL), located 20 kilometers southwest of Nasiriyah

Russian sources claim initial five Su-25s rushed through ‘routine maintenance’ at ARZ 121 / Kubinka before shipment to IqAF. Also it's rumored Iraq's previous request for Iran to return Su-25 aircraft now in IRGC-AF inventory was declined, presumably based on Iranian defense needs and possibly operational condition.

It's said current IqAF pilot roster includes four individuals with experience flying the Sukhoi Su-25, however it's also said IqAF currently lacks trained ground crew personnel for this type.

Claim indicates number of Su-25 aircraft to be delivered to IqAF at twelve. Above 29 RED prior to delivery at ARZ 121 / Kubinka. Russian sources claim above aircraft of Su-25K specification.

Iraqi sources are also claiming a forthcoming delivery of two Sukhoi Su-24 "Fencer" all-weather attack aircraft.

Baghdad's combat aircraft procurement efforts

Above: example of Sukhoi Su-30 type multirole combat aircraft in service with Indian Air Force

Media reports on 26JUN14 indicate attempts by the Maliki government in Baghdad to procure combat aircraft to be employed against the 2014 Northern Iraq offensive. This brief post will discuss these potential developments.

 According to the BBC:

Iraq's Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has told the BBC that he hopes jets from Russia and Belarus will turn the tide against rebels in the coming days.

"God willing within one week this force will be effective and will destroy the terrorists' dens," he said.

COMMENTARY: Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki has on a number of recent occasions publicly identified a lack of capable, fixed-wing combat aviation as a cause for ISF difficulties on the battlefield, as well as declaring the employment of U.S. airpower conditional on his removal from office. As such, public statements by officials in Baghdad related to potential airstrikes should be viewed within the context of political posturing inherent with the forming of Iraq's next government at a time of crisis.

He said that the process of buying US jets had been "long-winded" and that the militants' advance could have been avoided if air cover had been in place.

"I'll be frank and say that we were deluded when we signed the contract [with the US]," Mr Maliki said.

"We should have sought to buy other jet fighters like British, French and Russian to secure the air cover for our forces; if we had air cover we would have averted what had happened," he went on.

COMMENTARY: The Kurds had lobbied hard for Washington to deny fixed-wing combat aircraft such as the F-16 to Iraq, with the aim of denying a further empowerment of the Maliki government. Any delays by their lobbying effort paid off during the 2014 Northern Iraq offensive, with Baghdad powerless to prevent the Kurdish seizure of Kirkuk.

In addition to the Kurdish lobby efforts, Iraqi perception of delayed deliveries of American-made combat aircraft had been a source of friction made public many times in the past. Providing of sophisticated American weapons remains an effective source of leverage on nations where divergence of interests may affect relations.

According to Russian defense media source RIA:

Director of the Center for Analysis of World Arms Trade Igor Korotchenko suggested that Iraq has purchased six Russian Su-30K, which is being repaired in Belarus.

"Probably, it is about six Su-30K, which are available in Belarus 558 aircraft repair plant in Baranovichi," - said Korochenko RIA Novosti on Thursday.

He explained that it is part of a batch of 18 Russian Su-30K, which were returned after the operation in the Indian Air Force in accordance with the terms of the contract and passed on repair and restoration of the Belarus plant.

He suggested that in addition to these aircraft, Iraq could also be interested in the purchase of MiG-29 aircraft and attack helicopters Mi-24, already in operation or in Russia or Belarus.

COMMENTARY: Earlier in the week, there were rumors and reports that Iraq had requested combat aircraft that decades before escaped to Iran during the Iran-Iraq War. If accurate, this writer had interpreted this development in terms of Iran potentially providing military aircraft to Iraq in Iraqi markings, using Iranian air and ground crews. Such arrangements would in ways be similar, historically, to American aircraft using Republic of Vietnam markings in the Farm Gate operations, during America's early involvement in the Vietnam War.

It is assumed that should these Russian aircraft materialize in the time frame indicated by Iraq's PM, such foreign-operated arrangements appear likely.

Statement of Iran aircraft being returned to Iraq, rumors of IRIAF ground attack training

 

Above: IRIAF Sukhoi Su-24MK of a type IqAF escaped to Iran during the Persian Gulf War

According to Middle East Monitor:

A spokesman for the Office of the Adjutant General of the Iraqi armed forces has said that his country has returned 130 military aircraft to Iraq, which were held in Iran for more than 20 years. General Qassim Atta explained in a televised press statement that the Iranian authorities have equipped the aircraft with "sophisticated weapons".

"The planes," said Atta, "will participate in the battles against ISIS to liberate the city of Mosul from its control."

Iraq transferred an undisclosed number of fighter and civilian jets to Iran just before the US-led coalition forces launched air strikes in 1991 following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Groups of Sunni Arabs, led by ISIS, control a number of Iraqi cities in the north, east and west of the country. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki has described those groups as "extremist terrorists". Sunni figures, however, claim that what is happening is a Sunni tribal revolt against the discriminatory policies pursued by the Shiite government of Al-Maliki.

Commentary: Rumors of late have have been swirling of Iraqi and Iranian defense officials during the past few days conducting talks in Baghdad, with Iraq requesting Iran provide close air support (CAS) missions in the war against ISIL/allies, and even that Iran return Iraqi combat aircraft flown to sancturary in Iran during the Persian Gulf War.

There are also indications that IRIAF aircraft have recently been engaging in observable, frequent  ground attack training missions, including assemblage of all available MiG-29 types at Tabriz / Shahid Fakouri TAB 2, practicing in the attack role with air-lauched munitions.

Additionally, there are rumors of IRIAF Su-24 MK attack aircraft of 72nd TFS making frequent training missions equiped with B series rocket pods firing S-8 type rockets, and dropping FAB type bombs. Primary onjective of training is said related to IRIAF exercise slated for September 2014, with secondary objective in readiness to counter potential ISIL incursion into Iranian territory.

It appears the Baghdad govenrment is signalling closer military ties with Iran given any apparent American reluctance for direct military intervention in the CAS role. That said, it must now be admiited that future reflagging of IRIAF combat aviation assets with IqAF markings engaging in combat missions over Iraq can no longer be entirely discounted.