Drewe Manton wrote in message .4...
Hi Tom,
Just reading the Osprey Iranian Phantom ops book, and in it you make
reference to IIAF/IDF exchanges. Do you have any more info on this? It kind
of makes sense in terms of the 1970's and the fact the Iranians are
Persians rather than Arabs, but is still the first I've heard of it, and
I'd love to know more if there's more to know.
Great book BTW, I'm starting to develop a serious interest in Iranian
aviation these days!

Glad to hear you like the book so much, Drewe.

Re. IIAF-IDF/AF exchanges: the research is still going on, so I don't
have many details yet. But, what can be said for the time being is
that they have some helluva interesting stories to tell about the mock
dogfights they have had during their exchange tours - not only with
IDF/AF, but also with USAF, USN, Luftwaffe, RAF etc., especially
because they participated in numerous exercises and on different
sides, flying not only F-4sC/D/Es, Mirage IIICJs, A-4s, or F-14As, but
also F-15A/Bs, F-5s, T-38s, and F-106As. Two even did tours with the
"Red Hats" squadron, and flew (US) MiGs....

Tom Cooper
Co-Author:
Iran-Iraq; War in the Air, 1980-1988
http://www.acig.org/pg1/content.php

Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat
http://www.osprey-publishing.co.uk/t...hp/title=S6585