Iraq Inauguration Ceremony at Fort Worth

http://www.f-16.net/f-16-news-article4866.html

These photo's are from LM today of the Iraq Inauguration Ceremony

Thanks for sharing this unique pictures!

We are afraid that Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki will deliver it to Iran the next day or even use it against the Iraqi people, hopefully U.S will keep their eye on it...

Here the official Statement on the Delivery of U.S. Fighter Jets to Iraq by Iraqi embassy at U.S.A.:

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 5, 2014) – Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the United States Lukman Faily released today the following statement on U.S. military support for Iraq on the occasion of the delivery of U.S. fighter jets to Iraq:

“On behalf of the Republic of Iraq, I am honored to participate in this ceremony marking an historic milestone in military cooperation between the United States and Iraq. Today, at Lockheed Martin’s facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, we accept our government’s first advanced multirole fighter aircraft.

Source: http://www.iraqiembassy.us/article/statement-on-the-delivery-of-us-fighter-jets-to-iraq

The jet at the ceremony seemed to be armed with four AIM-9L/M heat-seeking air-to-air missiles, two AGM-65 Maverick missiles, and an AAQ-33 Sniper targeting pod.

Not AGM-65's, no LAU-117's to slide them on. There are GBU-12's on 3 & 7.

Here is side pic of the display jet with its load out.

Thank you Seadogg. Much clearer now.

Lieven wrote:The jet at the ceremony seemed to be armed with four AIM-9L/M heat-seeking air-to-air missiles..

The heaters look more like 9N/P's than 9L/M's, judging by the front fins.

The heaters look more like 9N/P's than 9L/M's, judging by the front fins.

You're absolutely right! See also our article on the AIM-9

Perfect timing now that the insurgents are rolling through the country, again. Stop the shipments until we know who will be running the country.

Lieven wrote:The heaters look more like 9N/P's than 9L/M's, judging by the front fins.

You're absolutely right! See also our article on the AIM-9

Likely they just got training C/D/ATM-9Ps? - will have to wait until some are in operation - if the current government can hold on of course!

Love the photos! A lot of capability there. Think I will stay away from the politics...

Is the Iraqi Air force has the capability to fly F16?

saqib wrote:Is the Iraqi Air force has the capability to fly F16?

The first Iraqi pilot graduated the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training in March 2012. Eight pilots are now in training to be flight leads. They begin with a basic course and move forward to wingman, flight lead and instructor training spanning up to 57 months. So, no, there are no combat-ready Iraqi F-16 pilots yet.

Lieven wrote:

saqib wrote:Is the Iraqi Air force has the capability to fly F16?

The first Iraqi pilot graduated the Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training in March 2012. Eight pilots are now in training to be flight leads. They begin with a basic course and move forward to wingman, flight lead and instructor training spanning up to 57 months. So, no, there are no combat-ready Iraqi F-16 pilots yet.

Define "combat ready"?

How long did it take VNAF to fly F-5s in combat? Some report that the South Vietnamese pilots were flying in combat within days of arrival. Its also known they were flying F-5Bs with advisors/instructors in the back seat for some flights.

It was the same deal for the A-37s, VNAF pilots flying the jets within days of arrival.

I realize the F-16C is a significantly more complicated aircraft, but considering the Iraqi pilots practiced weapons delivery in the simulators for many hours, they should be able to handle basic weapons delivery in an actual F-16. The USAF/USN/USMC hold JFAC training exercises with live weapons release regularly.

There is stories all around of US nuggets with less than 2 years of jet experience, flying single seat F-16s and F/A-18s in combat with live weapons. Some of the IDFAF pilots who flew the F-16 in combat for the first time back in the 80s were barely out of flight school, and the mission to strike Osirak reactor in Iraq (Ironically!) is the stuff of legend even today.