“Skyhigh Is My Place”
– Motto of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
When Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, ordered his forces to attack neighboring Iran in the early 1980s, he bit off more than he could chew. Although the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force was no longer able to procure parts for its largely US-built air force following the coup, they were, nevertheless, more than a match for the Iraqi Air Force, time and again turning back aerial assaults even when outnumbered and outgunned.
One of the principal reasons why they were able to hold their own against the Iraqis was because they has been equipped with the Grumman F-14 Fleet Defense Fighter, a versatile swing-wing aircraft intended for naval operations yet was equally at home flying from land-based airfields.
After the Iran-Iraq War, IRIAF`s experts modernized this particular warbird during its overhaul. The modernization program was designed to cover certain structural life-extensions, avionics and armament upgrade. Hundreds of hours were spent on upgrading this 37 years old interceptor. It was painted in a edged three-tone Asian Minor II camo pattern. Two new AA missiles has been adapted with its fire control system, R-73E, AIM-54A+ “Fakkur”, AIM-54A, AIM-7E-4 and AIM-9J.