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Iraq
Iraq tells Iran to give back its planes
2007-08-06
BAGHDAD - IraqÂ’s air force commander said on Sunday he hoped Iran would return some of the scores of Iraqi fighter plans that flew there ahead of the Gulf War in 1991, but conceded many of them were probably beyond repair.

Lieutenant-General Kamal al-Barzanji is eyeing the aircraft, which were flown to Iran to escape destruction, as he slowly rebuilds Iraq’s shattered air force with American help. “Until now we have not brought back any aircraft. This case belongs to the politicians,” he told a news briefing in Baghdad. “But we hope we could bring back some of these aircraft to Iraq,” he said, adding that only a few would be salvageable.
I suspect this is more for the political value: who on earth would want some old MiGs and Sukhoi planes? Better to buy new, and buy American.
Security information Web site GlobalSecurity.org estimates that half of the air force fled to Iran in 1991, just three years after the end of the Iran-Iraq war, rather than confront Coalition planes. Much of the rest of the air force was destroyed during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

IraqÂ’s air force is slowly rising from the ashes of decades of war and sanctions that wiped out its fleet of combat aircraft, once reputed to be the worldÂ’s sixth-biggest. At one stage the air force boasted 750 mainly Soviet- and French-built fighters, bombers and armed trainer aircraft, according to GlobalSecurity.org.

But Barzanji said there were now just 45 aircraft -- for transport and reconnaissance -- and helicopters. The air force first created in 1931 has been rebuilt from scratch since 2004. Pilots from Saddam’s time form the backbone of efforts to create a new air fleet, although US Brigadier-General Bob Allardice, commander of the air force transition team, said a programme to train new aviators had begun. “It is a complex process to train the air force while also fighting a counter-insurgency,” he told reporters.

As yet the new air force has no offensive capability, relying on US attack helicopters and fighters to support ground troops. US commanders recognise, however, that needs to be addressed if they are to proceed with handing over security to Iraqi security forces to allow U.S troops to leave. Asked when the air force would be in a position to conduct air combat operations, Kamal said: “That stage is close.”

At present the air force consists of C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, a variety of small fixed-wing aircraft for reconnaissance, and a number of Vietnam-era Huey and MI-17 Russian-made helicopters.
Posted by:Steve White

#12  Rantburg could use a new clubhouse.

Sea, maybe grab a few of them, strategically placed throughout the US. We could hook in via video conference for the next Rantapalooza.

Think of it as the antidote to Al Gore's Planet rock concert thingy a few months ago.
Posted by: BA   2007-08-06 17:39  

#11  If you just want something to play around in, and you're interested in room, try one of the old C-97 cargo aircraft, or if you prefer Soviet, an aging Cub (AN-10). Most jet fighters are small, cramped, and have lots of rough edges.
Posted by: Old Patriot   2007-08-06 17:39  

#10  Seriousness aside, this 'request' for the return of the planes makes a good cover to go in forcibly to 'recover' national assets. and if 'recovery' is not an option, the perhaps the alternative is to destroy in place; and who is going to say all the rounds / bombs don't get 'scattered' due to 'cross winds?'
(love the A380 aluminum wiring dig,btw!!)
Posted by: USN, Ret.   2007-08-06 14:33  

#9  I already checked. Big problem is, if an Airbus 380 were a commercial building in the United States, it wouldn't meet code, because of the aluminum wiring.

Posted by: Abdominal Snowman   2007-08-06 14:09  

#8  Well, the Phantoms & Migs are 2 seaters both, not sure of the old Sukhovs. But if you want an obsolete plane that can really host a big party, why not go whole hog and see if we can get an Airbus?

;-)
Posted by: lotp   2007-08-06 13:37  

#7  Rantburg could use a new clubhouse.
Posted by: Seafarious   2007-08-06 13:25  

#6  Better move fast on the F4s, they're being junked as we speak ....
Posted by: lotp   2007-08-06 13:16  

#5  Are you kidding? My kids (and hopefully grandkids) and I would love playing around on our very own MiG. Heck I am so goofy I might just buy a Soviet-era flight suit to wear while seated and playing my mock air battles. "Take that you filthy Capitalists Running Lackey Dogs." I might even have to get my hands on a old F-4 or F-5 and play dog fights.
Posted by: Cyber Sarge   2007-08-06 12:39  

#4  Right next to the plastic deer ....

And an old fridge laying on its side. With the door open.
Posted by: Mike N.   2007-08-06 12:11  

#3   An old MiG would look mighty fine sitting out in the front yard between the jockey and the 'spare' pickup truck. Have to get some really big cinder blocks to prop it up, though

Right next to the plastic deer ....
Posted by: lotp   2007-08-06 10:57  

#2  It's great for playgrounds. In my old country, we kids in the hood had one Mig 15 mounted in the playground area. I am sure it was not meant to be a toy, but to us the original purpose was obscure and irrelevant. We gutted it in no time so we could transverse the whole length front to back. In our days, parents were not that concerned about torn skin on knees and scratched elbows.
Posted by: twobyfour   2007-08-06 04:54  

#1  who on earth would want some old MiGs and Sukhoi planes?

I would! An old MiG would look mighty fine sitting out in the front yard between the jockey and the 'spare' pickup truck. Have to get some really big cinder blocks to prop it up, though.
Posted by: SteveS   2007-08-06 01:31  

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