Al-Qaeda's anti-aircraft squads ~ with Iran's assistance doing serious damage to copters in Iraq...

The Fourth Rail ^ | February 7 , 2007 | Bill Roggio

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Al-Qaeda in Iraq is believed to be operating Strela missile teams, courtesy of Iran

An AH-64 Apache. Click photo to view.

The past three weeks has seen a dramatic increase in the downing of U.S. helicopters operating in central Iraq. Five helos have been shot down since January 20th, four U.S. Army helos and a civilian Blackwater helo. Twenty-six Americans have been killed in the five shoot-downs.

The five helicopters lost represents ten percent of all such aircraft lost since Operation Iraqi Freedom began, with fifty total lost. The timing and increase in downed helos is no accident, American military and intelligence sources inform us.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq is believed to be behind four of the five shoot-downs: the CH-46 transport in Karma, February 7th (7 killed); the Apache attack helicopter in Taji, February 2 (2 killed); the Blackwater OH-6A observation helicopter in Baghdad, January 23 (5 civilians killed), and the Blackhawk transport in Diyala, January 20 (12 killed). The three military helos are thought to have been brought down by a sholder fired anti-aircraft weapon, while the Blackwater bird was thought to have been brought down by small arms fire. The January 28 Apache shoot-down in Najaf, with 2 killed, is believed to be caused by the Soldiers of Heaven cult.

The two military and intelligence sources believe al-Qaeda has organized a grouping of cells, whose purpose is to deny Coalition forces the free use of helicopters to ferry troops, resupply outlying areas, and conduct assault missions. Al-Qaeda wants to force Coalition forces to use ground transportation, where it believes heavier casualties can be inflicted on U.S. forces via roadside bombing and mine attacks (IEDs). Helicpoter shoot-downs also "make for compelling television," according to a military source, which "helps project the image of a deadly, unbeatable enemy." Al-Qaeda is believed to have deployed multiple anti-aircraft cells along the known overflight routes in and around Baghdad.

The cells are thought to be armed with Russian made Strela SA-7 anti-aircraft missiles, a first generation shoulder fired anti-aircraft missile which is widely distributed throughout the world. These weapons are not as sophisticated as U.S. made Stingers, which were used with deadly consequences by mujahideen in Afghanistan against Soviet fixed and rotary wing aircraft. U.S. aircraft have systems to deter missile threats (jammers, flairs, chaff) but there are no reports these systems were deployed during any of the engagements.

Al-Qaeda in Iraq, via its political mouthpiece the Islamic State in Iraq, has taken credit for two of the kills. Al-Qaeda gloated it shot down the Apache in Taji, and even released a video of the Apache being taken down. Al-Qaeda in Iraq has also claimed credit for today's downing of the CH-46 transport in Karma.

In the past, al-Qaeda was largely limited to deploying anti-aircraft missiles to protect command and leadership assets. MANPADs were in view in Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's last video before his death. When U.S. forces were hunting Zarqawi in Yusifiyah, several helicopters were brought down during the battles.

It is surprising al-Qaeda has not made a more concerted effort to bring down Coalition aircraft. The military, political, and propaganda value of destroying U.S. helicopters is too great to be ignored. It has been speculated al-Qaeda in Iraq didn't possess enough weapons systems or training to effectively field the missiles.

The suspicion is the Islamic Republic of Iran is behind supplying al-Qaeda with the needed weapons, training and logistical support to supply and field a successful anti-aircraft force, much as the United States provided the mujahideen with Stingers in Afghanistan in the 1980s.

[jeffers]

Nobody here thought Iran would take getting kicked out of Baghdad lying down did they?

All the assets are in place for Iran's come-uppance.

The media crowing about the shoot-downs lays the political groundwork here at home.

Bush doesn't care who likes him, but he wants to avoid impeachment proceedings.

Patience.

These are only the opening moves of the final dance.

[TexKat]

Thanks for that link SC!

Bookmarked

Thanks for the ping EATB and jeffers.

Take um out!

[ASOC]

Not a lot new here, old tactics actually. Tactics used years ago by Iran in Lebanon. Only then it was the Navy with lost aircraft.

4 Dec, 1983 a A7D was shot down over Lebanon by SA7 MANPADS firing as a 'battery'. Multiple SA7s, launched together, will overwhelm even a good flare system.

From the AU foreign minister - "And they can be bought reasonably cheaply. The cost of a first generation Russian-made SA-7 on the black market is said to be only around US$5000." One would imagine that the finger puppets in Iraq greet a 'discount'.

The cost of a Chinook (CH47F) is about $32M. The cost of lost crew - beyond measure.

The cost of not learning from past loses?

You decide, quite literally.

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks for the fourth rail ping.

[Marine_Uncle]

Good points regarding the G/A weapon systems most likely being used.
Hopefully our Army will quickly come up with some reliable solutions similiar to what you suggest.

[SunkenCiv]

jeffers: All the assets are in place for Iran's come-uppance.

I wholeheartedly agree.