MiG-25PD (Iraqi Air Force)
القوات الجوية العراقية

MiG-25PD
NATO: Foxbat-E
Operator: No. 96 Squadron
Location: Al-Asad Air Base (Iraq)
Timeframe: 1996
Loadout: Interceptor
- Outboard: 4x R-60
- Inboard: R-40RD / R-40TD

Personal interest:
This model represents a MiG-25PD flown by the Iraqi Air Force during my service in Operation Southern Watch. The Iraqis had only 9 operational MiG-25 aircraft, and of those, 4 were interceptor variants. The MiG-25 had incredible speed and a powerful radar. It was previously used to penetrate deep into the southern no-fly zone. When pursued by coalition fighters, the Iraqi pilot would dart north into the range of waiting anti-aircraft systems. In December 1992, a F-16D shot down a MiG-25 with the first combat use of the AIM-120 AAMRAM, likely taking the Iraqi pilot off guard with the new missile's speed and range. During my service, Foxbats were flown, but no longer into the no-fly zone. They were considered a threat primarily to U-2 aircraft overflying Iraq.