The Iraqi Air Force ordered 36 F-16C/D Block 52 advanced front line fighter aircraft. Some remained in use by the USAF 152nd FS/162nd FW at Tucson (AZ) for training purposes. This example is flying through the famous Death Valley canyon called Jedi Transition during a training sortie in March 2018.
Tikrit is also known as Combat Operating Base (COB) Speicher.
Reportedly, 1st Training Squadron was renamed 202sq in March 2011. Was this 201sq at some point? The Flying Training Wing is run by the Iraqi Air Force College.
Reportedly, 4th Training Squadron was renamed 204sq in March 2011. Is this correct? Use the Send Updates section below to help us out!
Initially it was bound to be stationed at Tikrit Al Sahra but in late 2017 the T-50s were delivered to Basrah/Al Shaibah. The Flying Training Wing is run by the Iraqi Air Force College.
Baghdad/Al Muthanna (ORBW) Mohammed Alaa AB
RWY 15L/33R, 15R/33L POS 33°15'45"N 044°14'04"E ELEV 114 ft
87sq is also designated as the "87th Composit Squadron". The U-28s are detached at Kirkuk and Basrah.
On 5 November 2015, the first two L-159A arrived at Balad from Aero Vodochody in the Czech Republic. In total ten L-159A single seaters and two L-159T1 trainers were ordered under a deal that was approved by the Czech government in March 2015.
@khalid_alobeidi
Baghdad/Al Rasheed AB (--) Al Salem AB (Baghdad Military; Al Rashid)
109th squadron is also located at Al Asad, it is dispersed across two air bases. Maintenance is done here, at Al Rasheed.
From 29 June 2014, Iraq received ten ex-Russian AF Su-25 Ground Attack jets to counter the ISIL insurgency. A number of former Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps Air Force (IRGCAF) Su-25s were re-delivered to the Iraqi Air Force. Some former Belarussian Air Force Frogfoots were also delivered in the 2018/2019 timeframe.
The ex-Russian, Belarussian and Iranian Air Force Su-25s are operating from Al-Asad and Baghdad al-Rasheed Air Force Bases. Since early 2019 they started sporting the original Iraqi Air Force roundel again.
Internet photo
Balad Southeast (ORBD)
RWY 12/30, 14/32 POS 33°56'25"N 044°21'42"E ELEV 161 ft
The first batch of four F-16s were delivered on 13 July 2015. The first two L-15A aircraft were delivered on 5 November 2015. The patch of 115 sq depicted here is not the official one.
An Iraqi F-16 climbs out to commence a nocturnal mission.
3sq operates Hellfire armed Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft, locally designated AC208 Caravan which are also Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capable.
The Comp Air 7SLX, operated by 3sq, was withdrawn from use in late 2007.
Eighteen, with an option for ten, Ce172S Light Training Aircraft were ordered by the IqAF mid-2007. They have formed the 52nd Expeditionary Flight Training Squadron that was officially inaugurated on 1 October 2007 and was designated 1st Training Squadron in late 2009.
USAF
Talil/Ali Base (ORTL)
RWY 12L/30R, 12R/30L POS 30°56'09"N 046°05'25"E ELEV 20 ft
70sq moved from Basrah to Talil in the October 2010. Reportedly, 2nd Training Squadron was renamed 201sq in March 2011. Was this 202sq at some point? Reportedly, 3rd Training Squadron was renamed 203sq. When did this take place? Please use the Send Updates below to help us out! The Flying Training Wing is run by the Iraqi Air Force College.
The first two Hawker Beechcraft T-6A Texan IIs for the Iraqi Air Force departed Wichita on their delivery flight on 1 December 2009, transiting from Beech Field (KBEC) via Des Moines, IA (KDSM) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (CYYZ), Toronto, ON, Canada, onwards to Ostend in Belgium. They were numbered YI-501 (c/n PT-496) and, YI-502 (c/n PT-497). Iraqi Air Force titles were covered over for the delivery flight, and National Insignia will be applied after delivery. They were flown by Hawker Beechcraft test pilots, using their callsigns as flight numbers, HBK122 and HBK178.
Andrew. H. Cline
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