Syrian and Iranian AF 2003

"robert arndt" wrote in message
om...
"Tom Cooper" wrote in message
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"robert arndt" wrote in message
om...
I'm afraid you're wrong. Syria aquired 14 Su-27s from Russia in 2000
and they are listed in every updated aircraft reference book I have.
Syrian AF 826 Squadron operates them.

The 826th FS still flies MiG-21bis, from al-Quasyr AB.

Here's a link on the Syrian AF:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/milita...a/airforce.htm

Like so many others it lists the Su-27 in the Syrian AF inventory.

Yes it does. And, what you are obviously unable to do is to ask for the
source.

Each of these encycolpedia-like "sources of reference" report what their
editors have read somewhere. Such sources are not based on first- or even
second- or third-hand informations, but on the things published who-knows
where. The reason for this is that it takes ages to prepare all such infos,
and that the editors do not have the time to research. The original source
for the Su-27s in Syria is that report from AFM in the year 2000: that was
the first such report in the open-source media to this topic. All the others
have simply taken it from the mentioned issue of that magazine. Check
globalsecurity in few months again, and you'll see that the Su-27s will be
removed from that inventory.

As for the Iranian captured
Iraqi Su-25s, none are operational that's why they are not listed in
any updated reference manual.

Ok, so, how do you explain two of´them being displayed in IRGCAF
markings on
a special part of the military parade held in Tehran, on 22 September
this
year?

Or, how do you explain the US complaints about Georgian technicians
refubishing them in Iran?

BTW, they were not "captured" from Iraq, but flown to Iran by defecting
Iraqi pilots...

Displayed aircraft are not the same as operational aircraft. Please
tell us the Iranian unit that operates the Frogfoots- you can't
because they are non-op.

Have you been there so to know if the aircraft are operational or not? Have
you seen any of them? Have you talked with any of the crews?

Have you at least taken care to read the reports like the one posted by TJ
futher bellow?

BTW, the aircraft were indeed captured as
Iran refused to return them to Iraq after the war.

AFAIK, "to capture" something in the military sence means to take it by the
means of force. The Su-25s were not forcefully taken by the Iranians, but
delivered to them.

If you would have ever taken care to research a little bit about the
backgrounds of the Iraqi flights to Iran, in 1991, you would know why do I
insist on the difference.

Tom Cooper
Co-Author:
Iran-Iraq War in the Air, 1980-1988:
http://www.acig.org/pg1/content.php
and,
Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat:
http://www.osprey-publishing.co.uk/t...hp/title=S6585