Mohammed Rayyan
Mohammed Rayyan | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Sky Falcon |
| Born | 1955 Baiji, Iraq |
| Died | 1986 |
| Allegiance |  Iraq |
| Service/ | Iraqi Air Force |
| Years of service | 1977–1986 |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Iran–Iraq War † |
Colonel Mohommed Rayyan (died 1986), nicknamed "Sky Falcon," was a fighter pilot with the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War. He scored 10 air combat kills, making him an ace and the most successful Iraqi fighter pilot of that war.[1]
Rayyan, while only a Flight Lieutenant and flying a MiG-21MF, claimed two (later confirmed) kills against Iranian F-5 Freedom Fighters in 1980.[1] Later a Captain, he qualified on the MiG-25P in 1981 and claimed 5 more victories (3 verified by western sources.) Most of his victories were F-4 Phantoms.[1] Having flown the MiG-25 was evidence of his considerable skill, as Soviet "advisers" were stationed in Iraq specifically to limit access to this advanced jet, and only the best pilots flew them.[2][3]
In 1986, having attained the rank of Colonel, Rayyan was shot down and killed by IRIAF Grumman F-14 Tomcats.[1]
His 5 air combat victories make Rayyan the most successful MiG-25 fighter pilot ever.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Arab MiG-19 and MiG-21 Units in Combat, by David Nicolle and Tom Cooper, (2004) Osprey Publishing, p.82
- ^ Exhumating the Dead Iraqi Air Force: Short History of MiG-25 in service with the Iraqi Air Force, since 1980, by Tom Cooper, Air Combat Information Group, Sept. 25, 2003
- ^ Iraqi Air-to-Air Victories since 1967
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