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Amir · Guest

On 22 October 1980 two F-4D from the 71st Tactical Fighter Wing (TAB 7,
Shiraz) as usual in very low altitude on their way to attack a large
Iraqi Air Base at Habbaniyah, some 120 kilometers due west from
Baghdad. As they flew into the SAM defense of the Iraqi capital, Sadly
one Phantom was shot down by an Iraqi SA-6 surface-to-air missile and
crew was captured. While the other F-4 out maneuvered the second
missile by making an 11 G turn. Mean while trying to jam the enemy
radar emissions with its ALQ-109 jammer pod. The crew soon realized
that it was impossible to continue the attack and turned towards the
secondary target at Al-Bakr oil refinery.
After the successful attack, the F-4D turned toward the border, with
two Iraqi MiG-23MS in hot pursuit. The Iranian pilot jettisoned it's
empty drop tanks and blasted on high speed at very low altitude going
back with Iraqi's behind him firing couple of R-13 (NATO code AA-2
Atoll) missiles. All could be evaded, however, some 70 kilometers from
the border the Phantom crew realized that they spent to much fuel, and
they could not even reach the border any longer. Thus, they declared an
emergency and prepared to eject because they had no other alternative.
At this time the supporting Boeing 707 tanker and two F-14A Tomcats
that had waited behind the border did cross into Iraq to provide fuel.
At the time of contact between the F-4D and Boeing 707 there were only
700lb. fuel left in the tanks of the Phantom. Although the whole
refueling operation was undertaken in medium altitude and Iraqi radar
had full picture of what was going on not even one Iraqi interceptor
dare come close.

submitted by Iranian F-4 pilot