← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · amundsen
Thread ID: 5875 | Posts: 2 | Started: 2003-03-29
2003-03-29 18:58 | User Profile
I have heard no reports of the Iraqi Air Force being used. While I dont know much of anything about their tactics in the first war I do know they did not fair so well. In this war they seem to be grounded. I cant imagine Iraq not using their Air Force at all when they have clearly demonstrated that they intend to fight us. So I can only conclude that they must have some strategy to use them at some later point. I was thinking they might wait until US forces are amased close to Baghdad and run suicide missions. I would imagine the US has bombed any airstrips that Iraq could use, and that they have bombed any know hangers. So maybe the Iraqis have moved their aircraft to safe, disguised locations.
Anyone else have any thoughts or information about the Iraqi Air Force?
2003-03-29 22:33 | User Profile
[url=http://www.faem.com/warforum/a17.htm]http://www.faem.com/warforum/a17.htm[/url]
Question: We're told Iraq has 350 military aircraft. This number is close to the last war's headcount, when most of them only flew to Iran. Interpreting satellite and photo imagery is a tricky business. We're also hearing that these aircraft are dispersed next to Mosques, schools and cultural monuments for 'protection'. This also was said 12 years ago. Assessing airpower requires weighing heads as well as counting them.
Reply: As a first step I suggest the photo interpreters get out their 1991 Desert Storm files. Next check and see how many Iraqi aircraft parked next to Mosques and monuments were parked there 12 years ago. If the aircraft hasn't moved in 12 years it's a reasonable assumption that such item is in the same category as the objects in the two photos above.
I don't think the two dozen or so Iraqi obsolete aircraft systems (aircraft, aerial weapons, trained pilot) still operational will 'make an appearance'. And if they do make an appearance their very rusty out of practice pilots will be flamed by F-15s while struggling for altitude. Just no match for Look-down Shoot Down coordinated by AWACS and F-15s fresh from the Nevada ranges. I give the engagement about 20 minutes from start to flame out finish.