IRGC-AF intervention in the 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive , Iran providing pilots.

                                      Video of IRGC-AF delivery to Iraq (Iraqi media)


IRGC-AF intervention in the 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive , Iran providing pilots. HT: UskowiOnIran.

IRGC-AF has transfered all it's operational Su-25 type close air support aircraft to Iraq to be employed against ISIL and it's allies during the ongoing 2014 Northern Iraq Offensive.

The seven Su-25 type aircraft are now deployed at Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Air Force Base (ICAO: ORTL / LID: TAL), along with recently delivered ex-RuAF Su-25 type aircraft.


Three of the seven IRGC-AF aircraft are 15-2459 (Su-25UBK delivered from Ulan-Udeh Aviation Plant and serviced by Georgian technicians in January 2003), 15-2451 (overhauled and updated by Pars Aviation Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility in 2011) and 15-2456 (overhauled and updated by Pars in 2012).

One additional Su-25K (15-2450) is said to be scheduled for future delivery to Iraq following overhaul and update by Pars. [source: Airliners.net and ACIG.com member]

It is said IRGC-AF transferred aircraft (three two-seater Su-25UBK and four single-seat Su-25KM) are operated by four IqAF and ten IRGC-AF pilots. It is further said combat operations commenced 01JUL14. [source: ACIG.com member]

The aircraft transfer and support contract is said to provide Iran's IRGC-AF with six Sukhoi Su-30K multirole combat aircraft previously designated for Iraq. It has been further speculated future IRGC-AF Su-30 aircraft will be deployed at BuMusa ("Abu Musa") Island. [source: ACIG.com member]

The aircraft transfer deal appears in effect with American acquiescence or approval.

There are also indications reported by Aviationist blog and "Jassem Al Salami" at WIB blog that Iranian combat aviation forces have possibly conducted bombing missions at Baiji on 21JUN14.

COMMENTARY: IRGC-AF participation may appear similar in ways to American Farm Gate operations during early U.S. military efforts in the Vietnam War. As such, it's possible these IRGC-AF flown and/or assisted combat missions could likewise be the harbinger of ever greater commitments by Iran, as occurred with American military involvement in Vietnam following the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin incident.Read and see (Photo's) the full story here.