Iraqi air command confirms Iraq’s F-16s are now striking ISIL positions.
“Fifteen airstrikes (by F-16s) were carried out in the past four days,” said Lt. Gen. Anwar Hama Amin, the commander of Iraqi Air Force. (AFP, 6 September)
The first four Iraqi F-16s arrived from the United States in mid-July, out of a total of 36 sold to Baghdad. The aging Sukhoi Su-25 jets were the backbone of the Iraqi air force.
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)
An Iraqi F-16 assigned to the 162nd Wing, Arizona ANG, crashed sometime around 20.00h today, five miles east of Douglas Municipal Airport, while partaking in a night training mission. The Iraqi pilot was killed in this mishap.
The crash of the F-16 occurred near Douglas close to the border between Arizona and New Mexico. The jet was the inaugural F-16D block 52 #1601 (RB-01) for the Iraq Air Force which first took flight on May 2nd, 2014.
[...]
The Iraq government ordered 36 F-16s and while delivery of them is on hold, the pilots who will fly them have been learning the ropes of the aircraft with the 162nd FW since 2012.
Commentary: Iraqi sources identify the pilot as IqAF Brig. Gen. Rafid Mohammed Hassan.
Loss of the inaugural IqAF F-16 and its pilot represent another setback to the Iraqi Air Force, which had expressed the expectation of a much delayed deployment to Iraq on 21JUL15 for war against ISIL.
An accurate critique by Tyler Rogoway of U.S. policy towards the Iraqi Air Force can be accessed HERE.
Undated image of the late Brig. Gen. Rafid Mohammad Hassan
File image of lost IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16IQ (D Block 52) Fighting Falcon, serial 1601
Video stills from Iraqi Ministry of Defense video depicting Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi touring Balad Air Base on 03JUN15. (Complete embedded video at end of post.)
Signage at Balad Air Base includes illustration of F-16 fighter aircraft and fighting falcon
Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi amid American military personnel and contractor. The tour of Balad happens to coincide with a strike by 475 Iraqi military aviation technicians currently training in Jordan, after their salaries were cut by 80% following an order from the Iraqi defense and finance ministers.
Control tower of what is being touted as an improved Bald Air Base
Exterior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base
Interior view of improved hardened aircraft facility at Balad Air Base
Iraqi Defense Minister Khaled al-Obeidi speaking before entrance of hardened aircraft shelter
File photo of IqAF Lockheed Martin F-16I D Block 52, serial 1601 [Photo: Keith Snyder]
Long delayed initial F-16I delivery to Iraq expected summer of 2015 according to American sources; on 21JUL15 according to Iraqi Air Force Lt. Gen. Anwar Hama Amin.
Lockheed Martin will delivere the first of 36 F-16 Block 52 aircraft to the Iraqi Air Force during a ceremony on Monday at its Fort Worth facility. The F-16s are being built in a configuration tailored to meet the specific requirements of the Iraqi Air Force, and the contract includes mission equipment and a support package.
“Iraq joins 27 other nations around the world who depend on the F-16 Fighting Falcon to maintain peace and security,” said Orlando Carvalho, executive vice president of Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “We are proud to play a role in the defense of a new democracy and look forward to strengthening our partnership with Iraq.” (Lockheed Martin/defencetalk, 8 June)
F-16, a fourth generation multi-role fighter, has a reputation as the safest and most effective aircraft in its class. More than 4,540 F-16 aircraft have been delivered in the past 40 years, and production is expected to continue through 2017. Major upgrade have been incorporated in the F-16 being produced now.
Photo credit: Iraq’s first F-16 Fighting Falcon on display at Lockheed Martin’s facility; Fort Worth, Texas. 8 June 2014. (Martin Lockheed/defencetalk)
