Forum: Air Power

_________________ LET'S ROLL! SPIRIT OF 9-11-01

I was just wondering...
I know a lot of people are talking about the ups and downs of the newly trained and equipped Iraqi Army, but what about the air force? Are they still operating their migs or allied aircraft? Are the pilots from the old AF or are they newbies? Basically, is the Iraqi Air Force non existent, or just not in the news?

Thanx

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They recently took delivery of some C-130s (E models I believe). Hey....it's a start. Here's a recent pic from Air Force Link.

It's gonna be awhile before the Iraqi AF gets to point where they can take on outsiders effectively by themselves. And you're correct about it not making news, at least not in the US. Our media doesn't much care about the positive stuff happenin'. But if Iraqi civvies get blown up or a US troop so much as sneezes the wrong way it'll get wall-2-wall coverage.

_________________ LET'S ROLL! SPIRIT OF 9-11-01

thanx linkf16simdude

You couldn't be more right about that good for nothing media of ours. Sometimes I just wanna puke! Bang Head

Here's a short summary of the CPA plan for the new Iraqi Air Force (now being designated "IqAF"). Got some airlift (B-model Hercs, not the Es I thought they were), Helos (Hueys), and some light recce planned (SB7L "Seekers").

I'm glad to see that they're doing much better than they were a while back - the planes are on the tarmac instead of under the desert sands Wink

. I agree about the media, as well. I just think it will be great when they're flying combat aircraft again! It'll be really interesting to see if they get Vipers in the future - pilots would be flying the jets they used to fly against Smile

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On a slightly Off Topic

note, I think that little Seeker is one heck of an interesting airplane and I wouldn't mind having one myself Very Happy

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I read that Iraqi AF will buy Polish W-3 Sokol (Falcon Smile

) choppers (for now - 2 for tests, but they signed a contract about buying 20 of them - if they pass the tests) as well as 24(I'm not sure) russian Mi-8MTVs(Mi-17s). Both of them are well-armed (unguided rockets as well as machineguns/cannons) and both have lightly armored versions. I think it would be good if Iraqi helicopters were resistent on 7.62 mm (AK-47, PK, SVD Dragunov) as well as sprandels of RPGs. I think they also need sth like Mi-24 (or AH-1) - they might (and only might) have some Mi-24Ds from Poland - as well as some attack aircraft like Su-25s, or Warthogs - air defence can be provided by USAF.
Regards from Poland - the manufacturer of W-3 Smile

parrothead wrote:

I just think it will be great when they're flying combat aircraft again! It'll be really interesting to see if they get Vipers in the future - pilots would be flying the jets they used to fly against Smile

Wouldn't it be neat to see IqAF Vipers show up at a Red Flag in the not too distant future? Talk about a 180! Keep your fingers crossed.

Thanks for the info kubam4a1 Very Happy

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Link, that would be absolutely great Cool

! I'd love to see the Iraqi Air Force flying out of Nellis! Whod've thunk it a few years ago Laughing

? I hope they keep some of their Russian stuff - it would be great for DACT and would keep their costs down too.

"Sokol" is name of the helicopter (in Polish it means FALCON)!. From Russian stuff - they will purchase Mi-8MTVs as I said. And I hope they will buy GLUSZEC - modernized version of W-3 SOKOL with armor, chaff/flare lanuchers, RWR, very accurate and able to move .50 as well as 70 mm rockets. Now W-3WA has 23 mm cannon, but it's unable to move. I hope it will remain in Gluszec - but if I write I HOPE these are only my own thoughts (unconifrmed anyway!! Smile

) So rememver:) It's little OT but Iraqi army and police need also light-armored cars, resistent to AK47:)

Forum: Air Power

Iraqi AF status