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An air war story by Colonel. Pour-Rezaie. Commanding officer of the 32nd TFS Hamedan Air Base;
Attacking K-2 Oil Storage Facilities and Pipeline (Baiji oil refinery) - August 1981
Let me begin by introducing the key players first: 11 months into the war, I was a Major commanding the 32nd Tactical Fighter SQ at Hamedan Air Base. My good friend, late Mahmoud Eskandari, a Major, was the commanding officer of the 31st TFS at that same base. The wing's Operations Officer was Major Faraj Baratpour (the leader of the famed raid on H-3 air bases in April) and the Wing's commander was Col. Golcheen. On top of that a senior staff officer, Lt. Colonel Saboonchee (a veteran F-4E flier), had arrived on a TDY direct from the 'Air Force HQ' in 'Tehran' to assist us in flying and fighting as we were undermanned. It was widely known that Lt. Col Saboonchee was one of the best fighter pilots. We knew that he was even better than our own wing commander. He was exacting, meticulous and a solid aviator with a good track record.
Hamedan air base was busy providing CAP and CAS missions to our front line troops in the south fighting the invading Iraqi forces. I, my other squadron mates and another officer 'Maj. Kazemi' were present at the wing's 'command post' awaiting orders or other combat instructions when a special order came through the hot-line: "Execute an attack on K-2 oil depot/pumping facilities"
It was believed at the time that the Iraqi government was exporting more than 200,000 barrels of crude oil to Europe via that single oil pumping and storage facility.
To maximize the damage, we decided to attack the target using 8 F-4E Phantoms. And our wing's best pilots were given the task to execute this mission. Hours later, the names of all fliers were written on the mission board. We'd be divided in two separate four ship formations. The entire raid/mission would be commanded and led by none other than Col. Saboonchee who'd recently arrived on TDY from Tehran HQ.
8 experienced pilots including myself, our wing's operations officer Maj. Baratpour and Maj. Eskandari 31st SQ's commander were all chosen for this important mission to deprive Saddam of his 'black gold' at least temporarily. I actually tried not to laugh when I looked at the mission board. Each senior pilot had a junior wingman to baby sit. I was number 4's lead.
I must add that K-2 oil facilities are near the famous city of Tikrit 100 miles north of Baghdad.
We assembled around 10:00 in the wing's secure briefing room to hear Col. Saboonchee's brief and further instructions. It was decided that ToT will be 13:00 (Time On Target) and that we will be attacking the K-2 facilities on a south-north route. We'd refuel over western Iran before dropping low to reach our target using landmarks to guide us in. However, I decided to voice my dissenting view about the attack route. I said: "Sir Colonel, we won't be needing any air refueling if we actually approach the target from the north and attack from that side." Then I added: "Sir, the northern mountains near Kirkuk will give us the added benefit of evading Iraqi radars." My good buddy Maj. Eskandari sided with me as well.
I actually expected our leader to say "No, we'll execute this mission as I have planned it" but then to my surprise he said: "Major, That is fine with me. No problem. You four guys plan your own attack route but make sure you'll make the ToT."
Long story cut short, the first 4 Phantoms took off from Hamedan air base, and then our four fighter aircraft took us a few minutes later to allow enough time for the first party to do their mission before we'd arrive over our target. It would reduce the risk of interference and/or friendly fire. Appearing over the target from different sides could also confuse the AAA gunners.
Having passed Sanandaj (in Kurdistan province) we dropped low to cross into the enemy territory. But my buddy Major Eskandari decided to drop low to avoid enemy radar detection a bit earlier than we'd planned. He was Zig-Zagging unnecessarily around these valleys at about 400 knots. I was probably 2 miles behind when I realized that he's taken the incorrect 320 deg. heading instead of the 305 degree heading that would eventually take us to K-2 facilities. I had to do something. 'Radio Silence' was crucial. What'd I do? Breaking the strict radio silence ran the risk of being detected and comprising the mission but I knew Maj. Eskandari was going the wrong way. But I decided to keep it short and brief: "Mahmoud, turn left. Your heading is incorrect" and then I waited to see if he'd correct his heading. I knew that all that zig-zags a minute ago must have thrown his navigational systems out of balance. He turned left briefly but then went on that silly 320 deg heading. I 'mic'd it in' and said: "Mahmoud turn to 305 now." Suddenly it seemed he'd realized his mistake and began to correct it accordingly. Then our formation leader Wing's Op Officer Major Baratpour came on the net and said: "Guys, shut up or you'll get us killed here." I laughed in my oxygen mask and through the intercom told my backseater: "Faraj is mad."
Well of course Faraj was right. The Iraqis could easily detect our location by listening in to our radio chatter.
Minutes later we reached our IP which happened to be a bridge before our final attack run. Increasing the speed to more than 500 knots we reached the K-2 facility right on time. To our surprise, Colonel Saboonchee's formation of four aircraft had also reached the target at that same minute we'd reached it. It was either their fault or ours. It did not matter. Releasing my bombs I marveled at the fact that poor Iraqi AAA crew must be confused. They were probably thinking to themselves: "Which one of these bastards should I shoot at?" I personally think it was a good thing. Their confusion was to our advantage as all of us got our butts safely home.
After touch down and parking on the ramp, I inspected my aircraft and then I discovered a 2 inch hole in one of the external fuel tanks (empty tanks by the time we'd landed I may add). It must have been hit by the enemy's AAA. Nothing extraordinary. This was in fact a normal occurrence.
At the 'de-brief' our gun camera footage were shown and analyzed. My rear facing camera had recorded a 'hell of fire, smoke, debris and destruction' on the ground. On the other hand one other camera showed something very strange. The footage showed a nose-gun attack by one of the Phantom pilots on what seemed to be an Iraqi border post resulting in a huge fire ball. Unleashing his 20 mm cannon on what he may have thought was a manned border post but in reality that fire ball meant that it was an ammo dump. The 20 mm shells had gone through the doors and windows resulting in that eventual huge explosion.
That footage actually belonged to none other than Col. Saboonchee. I think he had a good day.
Source: Rahrovan-artesh.ir
Attacking K-2 Oil Storage Facilities and Pipeline (Baiji oil refinery) - August 1981
Let me begin by introducing the key players first: 11 months into the war, I was a Major commanding the 32nd Tactical Fighter SQ at Hamedan Air Base. My good friend, late Mahmoud Eskandari, a Major, was the commanding officer of the 31st TFS at that same base. The wing's Operations Officer was Major Faraj Baratpour (the leader of the famed raid on H-3 air bases in April) and the Wing's commander was Col. Golcheen. On top of that a senior staff officer, Lt. Colonel Saboonchee (a veteran F-4E flier), had arrived on a TDY direct from the 'Air Force HQ' in 'Tehran' to assist us in flying and fighting as we were undermanned. It was widely known that Lt. Col Saboonchee was one of the best fighter pilots. We knew that he was even better than our own wing commander. He was exacting, meticulous and a solid aviator with a good track record.
Hamedan air base was busy providing CAP and CAS missions to our front line troops in the south fighting the invading Iraqi forces. I, my other squadron mates and another officer 'Maj. Kazemi' were present at the wing's 'command post' awaiting orders or other combat instructions when a special order came through the hot-line: "Execute an attack on K-2 oil depot/pumping facilities"
It was believed at the time that the Iraqi government was exporting more than 200,000 barrels of crude oil to Europe via that single oil pumping and storage facility.
To maximize the damage, we decided to attack the target using 8 F-4E Phantoms. And our wing's best pilots were given the task to execute this mission. Hours later, the names of all fliers were written on the mission board. We'd be divided in two separate four ship formations. The entire raid/mission would be commanded and led by none other than Col. Saboonchee who'd recently arrived on TDY from Tehran HQ.
8 experienced pilots including myself, our wing's operations officer Maj. Baratpour and Maj. Eskandari 31st SQ's commander were all chosen for this important mission to deprive Saddam of his 'black gold' at least temporarily. I actually tried not to laugh when I looked at the mission board. Each senior pilot had a junior wingman to baby sit. I was number 4's lead.
I must add that K-2 oil facilities are near the famous city of Tikrit 100 miles north of Baghdad.
We assembled around 10:00 in the wing's secure briefing room to hear Col. Saboonchee's brief and further instructions. It was decided that ToT will be 13:00 (Time On Target) and that we will be attacking the K-2 facilities on a south-north route. We'd refuel over western Iran before dropping low to reach our target using landmarks to guide us in. However, I decided to voice my dissenting view about the attack route. I said: "Sir Colonel, we won't be needing any air refueling if we actually approach the target from the north and attack from that side." Then I added: "Sir, the northern mountains near Kirkuk will give us the added benefit of evading Iraqi radars." My good buddy Maj. Eskandari sided with me as well.
I actually expected our leader to say "No, we'll execute this mission as I have planned it" but then to my surprise he said: "Major, That is fine with me. No problem. You four guys plan your own attack route but make sure you'll make the ToT."
Long story cut short, the first 4 Phantoms took off from Hamedan air base, and then our four fighter aircraft took us a few minutes later to allow enough time for the first party to do their mission before we'd arrive over our target. It would reduce the risk of interference and/or friendly fire. Appearing over the target from different sides could also confuse the AAA gunners.
Having passed Sanandaj (in Kurdistan province) we dropped low to cross into the enemy territory. But my buddy Major Eskandari decided to drop low to avoid enemy radar detection a bit earlier than we'd planned. He was Zig-Zagging unnecessarily around these valleys at about 400 knots. I was probably 2 miles behind when I realized that he's taken the incorrect 320 deg. heading instead of the 305 degree heading that would eventually take us to K-2 facilities. I had to do something. 'Radio Silence' was crucial. What'd I do? Breaking the strict radio silence ran the risk of being detected and comprising the mission but I knew Maj. Eskandari was going the wrong way. But I decided to keep it short and brief: "Mahmoud, turn left. Your heading is incorrect" and then I waited to see if he'd correct his heading. I knew that all that zig-zags a minute ago must have thrown his navigational systems out of balance. He turned left briefly but then went on that silly 320 deg heading. I 'mic'd it in' and said: "Mahmoud turn to 305 now." Suddenly it seemed he'd realized his mistake and began to correct it accordingly. Then our formation leader Wing's Op Officer Major Baratpour came on the net and said: "Guys, shut up or you'll get us killed here." I laughed in my oxygen mask and through the intercom told my backseater: "Faraj is mad."
Well of course Faraj was right. The Iraqis could easily detect our location by listening in to our radio chatter.
Minutes later we reached our IP which happened to be a bridge before our final attack run. Increasing the speed to more than 500 knots we reached the K-2 facility right on time. To our surprise, Colonel Saboonchee's formation of four aircraft had also reached the target at that same minute we'd reached it. It was either their fault or ours. It did not matter. Releasing my bombs I marveled at the fact that poor Iraqi AAA crew must be confused. They were probably thinking to themselves: "Which one of these bastards should I shoot at?" I personally think it was a good thing. Their confusion was to our advantage as all of us got our butts safely home.
After touch down and parking on the ramp, I inspected my aircraft and then I discovered a 2 inch hole in one of the external fuel tanks (empty tanks by the time we'd landed I may add). It must have been hit by the enemy's AAA. Nothing extraordinary. This was in fact a normal occurrence.
At the 'de-brief' our gun camera footage were shown and analyzed. My rear facing camera had recorded a 'hell of fire, smoke, debris and destruction' on the ground. On the other hand one other camera showed something very strange. The footage showed a nose-gun attack by one of the Phantom pilots on what seemed to be an Iraqi border post resulting in a huge fire ball. Unleashing his 20 mm cannon on what he may have thought was a manned border post but in reality that fire ball meant that it was an ammo dump. The 20 mm shells had gone through the doors and windows resulting in that eventual huge explosion.
That footage actually belonged to none other than Col. Saboonchee. I think he had a good day.
Source: Rahrovan-artesh.ir