Mohammed Rayyan
Mohammed Rayyan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Sky Falcon |
| Born | 1955 Baiji (city), Kingdom of Iraq |
| Died | 1986 Iran/Iraq Border region |
| Allegiance | .svg.png){kind=small} Iraq |
| Branch |  Iraqi Air Force |
| Years of service | 1977–1986 |
| Rank | .svg.png){kind=small} Colonel |
| Unit | 47th Squadron |
| Battles / wars | Iran–Iraq War † |
Colonel Mohammed Rayyan (1955–1986) was an Iraqi fighter pilot and flying ace during the Iran–Iraq War. He scored 5 air combat kills and was the most successful MiG-25 pilot.[1][2]
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 Iranian Air Force (IRIAF) Grumman F-14 Tomcats.[1]
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
- ^ a b 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