Friday, September 20, 2013

A 'Close Encounter' Between A U.S. F-22 And An Iranian F-4



U.S. F-22 Stealth Fighter Pilot Taunted Iranian F-4 Phantom Combat Planes Over The Persian Gulf -- The Aviationist

Earlier this year, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little, said that an IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) F-4 Phantom combat plane attempted to intercept a U.S. MQ-1 drone flying in international airspace off Iran.

As we reported back then, one of the two F-4 Phantom jets came to about 16 miles from the UAV but broke off pursuit after they were broadcast a warning message by two American planes escorting the Predator.

The episode happened in March 2013, few months after a two Sukhoi Su-25 attack planes operated by the Pasdaran (informal name of the IRGC – the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution) attempted to shoot down an American MQ-1 flying a routine surveillance flight in international airspace some 16 miles off Iran, the interception of the unmanned aircraft failed.

Read more ....

Update #1: Welsh: F-22 Flew to Drone's Rescue off Iran Coast -- Military.com
Update #2: Pilot's midair taunt straight out of Top Gun -- Stuff.co.nz
Update #3: F-22 Raptors Taunted Iranian Fighter Jets -- Robert Beckhusen, War Is Boring

My Comment: These close encounters may send a message to the other side .... but it is tempting fate.

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