Posted on 11/07/2011 4:25:17 AM PST by sukhoi-30mki
Isfahan Air Base handling maintenance, overhaul of Tomcats
Isfahan, Nov. 6, IRNA – Isfahan's Shahid Babaie Air Base is unique in its kind worldwide in terms of maintenance and overhaul of F14 fighter jets (tomcat).
Commander of the Air Base, Brigadier Ali-Reza Barkhor told IRNA on Sunday that his Base is the only center for training pilots for fixed wing planes of the Islamic Republic Army.
He said his Base is also handling flights F14 planes after 33 years of sanctions which indicates high experience of Air Force technicians.
The commander said the flight of such warplanes is of significance regarding their overhaul by Iranian technicians using indigenized technology.
“This Base is ready to repel any crisis using all its facilities and the personnel stationed there are soldiers of Velayat, supporting the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.
My guess is that the Iranians are trying to conserve a "Beyond-Visual-Range" capability using the F-14 as a high-speed/long-loiter interceptor. While the AIM-54 Phoenix missile is probably gone, they likely copied it with Soviet/Russian help. The rest of the Iranian airforce (at least the F-4's and F-5's) probably have no workable BVR ability and so would be "meat-on-the-table" for any top-tier airforce forcing entry.
The F-14 is not particularly stealthy. I could see the US Air Force going for a cheap approach: send up an AWACS, and then send in a swarm of Predators with air-to-air missiles that could be launched from the Predator but guided by the AWACS.
More war drums. Looks like war is coming—but how it happens and what shape it will take is still up in the air. They, the Iranians , may strike first in a Pearl Harbor like attack on a US base. This time it will see several nations gang up on the USA and her few allies. This air base will have a short life in any conflict. I believe was is coming soon or at least by Spring 2012 (just before elections).
I believe they will strike before there is a chance that obastard will leave office but who can possibly say. Troop withdrawals, as a political ploy will make the region an even more dangerous place. Iran striking would cinch the election against obastard since his response is sure to be milk toast. On the other hand, knowing that response would lose the election he might throw the military in full force. He does not care about our troops, they are only conservative voters and meat to him.
Why do they sabre rattle though in Iran? Why telegraph unless they are scared?
What are the pros and cons for the Israelis to attack sooner than later?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.