New DIY heavy rocket deployed by Iraqi popular mobilization unit.

Image of a new type of rocket appeared on Iraqi social media, reportedly coming from source close to Asaib Ahl Al Haq (AAH).

Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) use a huge varieties of DIY heavy rockets.  Al Qaher, Al Batar, Al Ashtar, Falaq-2 improvised rocket assisted munitions (IRAM) are among the most used DIY rockets in Iraq. With the growing use of DIY rockets, whole brigades were dedicated to the development and the use of DIY rockets like Badr's Katiba Sawarikh Ababil. The DIY rockets differ in name, shape, weight but they adopt the same basic design which consist of  a (heavy) warhead and a rocket engine.

The discreet use of BGM-71 TOW ATGM in Iraq points to Iran

The discreet use of BGM-71 TOW ATGM in Iraq points to Iran

Iraqi security forces (ISF) and popular mobilization units (PMU) are fully engaged in a bloody fight against the self-named "Islamic State" (ISIS) and their local allies since June 2014 and the fall of Mosul city. In this fight, foreign support to Iraqi government revealed to be crucial. After the rapid expansion of ISIS, Iran poured fighters and military support into Iraq.  The not exhaustive list of Iranian military assistance to Iraq includes  IRGC Su-25K and Su-25UBK, M-40 106mm recoilless canon & 107mm MRLS variant of Safir tactical, 120mm HM-20 and HM-27 MRLS, AM.50 sniper, T-72S MBT, rifles, night vision equipments, munitions. On the anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) ground,  ISF and PMU are lightly equipped with Russian supplied 9M133 Kornet (ATGM) that some analysts took for the Iranian variant of the missile, the Dehlaviyeh. Despite producing a significant varieties of ATGMs, there was no evidence of Iranian supplied ATGM... until the battle of Jurf al Sakhr in October 2014. Indeed, Fars News Agency, an Iranian semi-official news agency, released a report on Jurf Al Sakhr on the 26th October 2014 who went unnoticed. Was included in the article a picture of Asaib-Ahl-Al-Haq fighters posing in front of a TOW ATGM launcher. 

New photos and video of Iraqi Mi-28NE training pilots

Pictures and videos of "Havoc" helicopters are rare because they are involved in a limited way for the lack of readiness of the crews. These footage were taken in Camp Taji few weeks ago during training mission for new Mi-28NE pilots. Currently, many pilots of others squadrons are sollicited to make the role of navigator. These two photos below were taken by a pilot of 21st Armed Reco Squadron who were involved in these training missions.

Iraqi Army Aviation used improvised base to be closer to the fighting

During the battle of Tikrit on March, Iraqi Army Aviation used an improvised base near Samarra to support operations over the city (see IQAF and IAA in the battle of Tikrit). Other type of airstrips are used by Iraqi forces like parts of highways for maintenance and refueling. Shortly before the liberation of the city, Bell IA-407 and Mi-171E were spotted by Badr Brigade fighters on the highway east. Actually, with the increase of the number of sorties, any valid place is used to drop helicopters.

New drone video in Iraq lifts a corner of the veil on Iranian drone program

By @green_lemonnn

If Iranian drones in Iraq are new to you, please make you sure have read Adam Rawnsley articles on this subject (1).

Since the Fall of Mosul one year ago, Iran is fully committed to the Iraqi government in his anti-"Islamic State" organization fight. On the ground, the army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution (IRGC) advisors were dispatched on various fronts to support Iraqi security forces. On the air, Iranian air force occasionally bombed Islamic State positions in Diyala & Salahuddin provinces (2). Iranian drones also joined the battle in the early July 2014 (3). While it's still unclear if the drones are operated by Iranian operators, it's now well known that Iranian made drones are used under Iraqi flag (4) or directly by Popular Mobilisation units (5).

Meeting du centenaire de la BA705 de Tours

Ce dimanche 7 juin avait lieu le meeting du centenaire de la base aérienne 705 de Tours. C'est en effet le 1er octobre 1915 qu'est créé sur le site un premier centre d'entrainement sur biplan Caudron. En 1916, les premiers volontaires américains y sont formés. L'année suivante, l’armée américaine y transfert sa propre école. Jusqu'à la seconde guerre mondiale, vont se succéder plusieurs unités équipées de Potez XV, Bréguet 14 et 19, Potez 25, Nieuport 622, puis Potez 540 et Bloch 200 en 1937. En 1952, grâce à la création d'une nouvelle piste, la base peut accueillir les Mosquito puis les Meteor du groupe "Lorraine" qui sera rejoint par les groupes "Loire" et "Champagne" l'année suivante pour former la 30ème ECTT (Escadre de Chasse Tout Temps).

My publications in June

This month, I publish in June issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly with a Combat Report about operation Decisive Storm and Air Forces / aircrafts known to be involved in the air campaign. Ce mois-ci, je publie dans le numéro de juin de Combat Aircraft Monthly avec un article sur l'opération Decisive Storm et les forces aériennes / appareils engagés dans la campagne aérienne.

Video - Chinook and Blackhawk from 160th SOAR in Iraq

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, also known as Task Force 160 (TF-160) or "Night Stalkers", is a special operations force of the United States Army that provides helicopter aviation support for general purpose forces and special operations forces. Missions include insertion/extraction of special operations forces (SOF), attack/assault, reconnaissance with the following helicopters:

    - MH-47E/G Chinook
    - MH-60K/L/M Black Hawk
    - MH-60L DAP (gunship variant)
    - AH-6 / MH-6 "Little Bird"

Normandie-Niemen: The French pilots of the Red Army

War rages in Europe. The country, defeated and occupied, continues to fight for freedom under the name of Free France, led by de Gaulle from London. In 1941, Hitler sweeping the USSR. The General proposes to send a French fighter squadron to help the Soviet army. A crazy project, which annoys allies. But de Gaulle persists and forms a squadron with the colors of Free France to fight in the east alongside the Soviets. "Normandie-Niemen" was born. The idea will allow France to sit at the table of winners. Focus on training and action, thanks in particular to unpublished documents (in French).

La guerre fait rage en Europe. Le pays, vaincu et occupé, continue à se battre pour la liberté sous l'appellation de France libre, dirigée par de Gaulle depuis Londres. En 1941, Hitler déferle sur l'URSS. Le général propose d'y envoyer une escadrille de chasse française afin de venir en aide à l'armée soviétique. Un projet fou, qui contrarie les alliés. Mais de Gaulle persiste et forme une escadrille aux couleurs de la France Libre pour combattre à l'Est aux côtés des Soviétiques. «Normandie-Niémen» est née. L'idée permettra à la France de siéger à la table des vainqueurs. Gros plan sur cette formation et son action, grâce, notamment, à des documents inédits.

Video of Iranian Air Force F-4E above the Persian Gulf

This video was taken in 2010 with cellphone by the RIO of a F-4E piloted by the commander of 61st TFS. His wingman and him were flying in such altitude two times a week during return from Gunnery Range. The RIO was Rezaiee, he was passed away in 2013, during crash of a F-4E. Colonel T. Z. is still in the air force. He is F-4E flight instructor and he is still commander of 61st TFS. This F-4E is training one, because it hasn't Azimuth indicator of RWR system.

Video - Nigerian AF Gunship helicopters against Boko Haram

The video below is part of the VICE News report embedded with Nigerian 103 Battalion and 72 Mobile Strike Force during Bama Assault. Nigerian Air Force Gunship helicopters were engaged in combat begining April. In Maiduguri airstrip ( north-east of the country), two Mi-24B (NAF 260 and NAF 261) from 97 Special Operations Group, two AS332M1 Super Puma (NAF 265 and NAF 567) from 88th Air Transport squadron and two Gazelle took off to support ground forces.

Iraqi Army Aviation engaged in south of Kirkuk

These two video footage show Iraqi attack helicopters in combat south ok Kirkuk. First one was taken near al-Huija on April 6 and second one in Hamrin Mountain two days later. One Eurocopter EC-635 from 55th Attack Squadron, one Bell IA-407 from 21st Armed Reco Squadron and one Mi-35M from 35th Attack Squadron can be seen in combat operations.

Complément à l'article d'AIR FAN sur les Mirage zaïrois

Pour compléter l'article publié dans le magazine AIR FAN n°437 d'avril, voici deux vidéos extraites des journaux télévisés français du 22 mai 1978 (TF1 et Antenne 2). Un Mirage 5DM s'apprête à décoller de la base de Kamina pour une mission d'appui aux légionnaires du 2ème REP à Kolwezi. Il est piloté par le français Jean-Pierre Fartek (casque blanc) qui a pour co-pilote le Major Luamba reconnaissable à son casque vert.

To complete the article published in April issue of AIR FAN No. 437, below are two videos extracted from the French TV news on May, 22, 1978 (TF1 and Antenne 2). One Mirage 5DM prepares to take off from Kamina base for a support mission to the legionaries of the 2nd REP in Kolwezi. It is piloted by the French Jean-Pierre Fartek (white helmet), with co-pilot Major Luamba recognizable by its green helmet.

My publications in April

This month, I published two articles. First one  in issue 437 of AIR FAN French magazine about the story of Zairian Mirage 5M/DM. These aircraft were often piloted by French instructor for training Zairian, but also for attack missions, notably during the second Shaba war in 1978 (or Kolwezi crisis). The second article is published in April issue of Combat Aircraft Monthly. I draw up the order of battle of Iraqi Air Force and Iraqi Army Aviation. Ce mois-ci, je publie deux articles. Le premier dans le n°437 du magazine AIR FAN sur l'histoire des Mirage 5M/DM zaïrois. Ces avions étaient souvent pilotés par des instructeurs français pour la formation des zaïrois, mais aussi pour des missions d'attaque, notamment lors de la seconde guerre du Shaba en 1978 (ou crise de Kolwezi). Le second article est publié dans le numéro d'avril de Combat Aircraft Monthly. J'y établie l'ordre de bataille de la Force Aérienne Irakienne (IQAF) et de l'Iraqi Army Aviation (ALAT).

Photos and videos of aircrafts engaged in operation Decisive Storm

On the night of Wednesday 25 to Thursday, March 26, Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with Egypt, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco, Qatar, Pakistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, launched "Operation Decisive Storm" over Yemeni territory (see Ten Arab countries formed a military coalition in order to strike Shiite militias in Yemen). These two videos and screen capture photos from Al Arabiya channel show most of the aircrafts engaged in those operations and based at King Khalid airbase : RSAF (Royal Saudi Air Force) F-15S carrying GBU-12 bombs and DB-110 reconnaissance pod, Tornado IDS, Typhoon, AS532M Cougar, C-130, Kuwaiti F/A-18C, Qatari Mirage 2000-5, Sudanese Su-24.

 

RSAF F-15S carrying GBU-12