Trigger Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 MRW ISIS attempts their first flight (if their planes aren't already ash by then): Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phantom726 Posted October 19, 2014 Share Posted October 19, 2014 ISIS Air Force check list: 1. Start engine 2. Taxi 3. Take off 4. Recognize the sound of an AIM-120 impacting 5. Eject Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JB2013 Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 ISIS Air Force check list: 1. Start engine 2. Taxi 3. Take off 4. Recognize the sound of an AIM-120 impacting 5. Eject (Check the aircraft; "Not equipped with ejection seats") Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomCooper Posted October 20, 2014 Share Posted October 20, 2014 (edited) Daesh has captured some 27 MiG-21s and up to 13 (these are 'max numbers possible') at Tabqa and Ksheesh AB. From photos and videos released by various Jihadists in August and September, I would say some 7-8 of these could be made operational. They have certainly captured enough arms and spares to repair them. Plus, they have ex-Iraqi Air Force officers and are actively recruiting anybody they can put their hands upon who has technical skills of some sort. The Daesh imposed a sort of 'media ban' on what is it doing with these planes, but a video surfaced apparently showing a L-39 at low speed near Ksheesh AB. This sounds logical: the type is so easy to keep operational that there are more privately owned L-39s in the USA than serving with all possible air forces around the world. As about what they might do with them: Daesh is no AQ, so they're unlikely to fly 'suicide' missions with them. They also want to establish a state: any state needs a military, and a military needs an air force - or at least some sort of a flying branch. In that sense, please keep in mind: - a) Back in the 1990s, using much less resources and having none of the global reach of the Daesh, the Taliban have established their own air force (the 'Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan AF') under similar circumstances. This was left enough time to train until it became a combat effective branch, that was even air-policing the Afghan skies, flying CAS against the Northern Coalition, supporting ground troops with transports and helicopters etc. They could never match the US air power, of course, but they were enough for their requirements and purposes. - b) Two years ago, Mozambiquans have collected whatever MiG-wreckage they could find around various of their airfields, and sent a handful of these for overhauls to Romania. The planes in question were not flown since early 1990s: most were completely derelict, exposed to elements (including torrential tropical rain and humidity) for 20+ years. Romanians returned 5-6 of them to fully serviceable condition... Quite a few of MiG-21s captured by the Daesh look as 'in near operational condition' to me and Syrian deserts are rather dry when compared to Mozambique... Therefore, I would say that the Daesh could easily follow in fashion of the Taliban - all provided it's left enough time. Edited October 20, 2014 by TomCooper Quote Link to post Share on other sites
madmike Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) Let 'em have their little air force and the moment one gets to be even considered to be a threat, perhaps that UAE AF F-16 female pilot could blow one out of the sky. No paradise for that little terrorist pilot wanna-be. Shot down and shot down by a woman. Has good symmetry. Edited October 21, 2014 by madmike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beingthehero Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/syria-shoots-down-two-is-jets-1.1769167 Well that air force didn't last long. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
JB2013 Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 So much for defense. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SBARC Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/syria-shoots-down-two-is-jets-1.1769167 Well that air force didn't last long. Wow...that was fast. I still feel ISIS has already reached their peak and is now on a downhill slide. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Shortest Air Force longevity wise in history perhaps...? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomCooper Posted October 23, 2014 Share Posted October 23, 2014 http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/syria-shoots-down-two-is-jets-1.1769167 Well that air force didn't last long. Coming from the Assadist regime's 'Minister of [Dis]Information' - most likely little more but propaganda. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
vimana Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 No one has ever learned what kind of markings the Taliban's (IEAAF) MiGs had. I wonder if we'll ever find out what markings ISIS used? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TomCooper Posted December 12, 2014 Share Posted December 12, 2014 IEAAF introduced markings in form of a green circle, outlined in black, usually applied instead of fin flash. For few known details, please see here: Afghanistan, Part 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Exhausted Posted September 19, 2015 Share Posted September 19, 2015 Wow, that's ugly. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
beingthehero Posted September 20, 2015 Author Share Posted September 20, 2015 I wonder if they've had that air base besieged for a long time. Those MiGs and that Mi-8 look like they haven't flown for years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jennings Posted September 20, 2015 Share Posted September 20, 2015 I won't be hard to find out where these are based and put a few well placed bombs along the length of the runway, turning them into jet powered paper weights. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.