[nomorecameljocks]

I am sure the prospect of a confrontation with Iran's air force has our USAF and USN guys shaking in their boots.

Last I heard the F4's and F14's Iran acquired during the Shah's rule were rusting and corroding away due to lack of maintenace, spare parts, etc. They may have gotten some Russian stuff since but I would presume it is also held together with bailing wire and duct tape and that the pilots are substandard with any US trained pilots having been executed, retired, kicked out, etc. Russian trained pilots rely heavily on ground control and decision making and are essentially order followers rather than independent thinkers. If Iranian control facilities are a smoking hole as is likely, they are in trouble.

[rbmillerjr]

Title should read, "Iran will sacrifice pilots"

[John Jorsett]

They may have gotten some Russian stuff since

Didn't Iraq fly its fighter jets over there to escape destruction during Gulf War I? Maybe they still have them.

I hope they do oppose us. It'll be a twofer if we shoot down Axis of Evil II's aircraft while we're dealing with Axis of Evil I.

[TXnMA]

I am sure the prospect of a confrontation with Iran's air force has our USAF and USN guys shaking in their boots.

Wonder if the mullahs are going to use those Iraqi jets that bugged out to Iran when our air forces made Iraqi skies too hot for them last time?

[Per-Ling]

Open-Source Iranian Air Force:

F-4D
J7II (F7 China)
F1 Mirage (Iraqi/French) flown over during Gulf War
T-33
MiG 23 (from Iraq/Gulf War)
MiG 27
MiG 29
F-5 E/F
F-14
Su-22 (40 from Iraq/Gulf War)
Su-24
Su-25

Granted, not a formidable air force, but it ain't Iraq. Those Mig 29s are top-notch platforms.

[Robert_Paulson2]

nations who are busy finding women to stone for committing adultery, and castrating their little girls for the glory of allah don't have time for no stinkin' jet airplane maintenance...

I find their threats... ridiculous on one hand and pathetic on the other, as I consider that 302 of their most dedicated soldiers, paid in blood for their lack of competence in the arena of powered flight.

I guess every little doggie has their day. They have to bitch at somebody, may as well be us, right?