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USAF F-16 Fighting Falcon

Much to my delight I have the opportunity to talk military aviation once again.

After its utter decimation in both Gulf Wars, the Iraqi Air Force has led a minimal role in safeguarding its nation’s airspace. Most air patrols, if not all, over Iraq are done by NATO forces. In its prime (under Saddam), however, the Iraqi Air Guard was a competent force not to be underestimated. But against the overwhelming might of the USAF, there was little hope for a long-term air war. Planes frequently never made it into the air, instead being “vulched” while still planted on terra firma in hangars or on the runway while taxiing. So for all intents and purposes, a combat-ready Iraqi air fleet has been nonexistent for some time. Yet this will not be the case for much longer.

Ready to prop the weakened nation back on its feet, the U.S. has accepted the first portion of a payment being allocated toward the purchase of a fleet of 18 F-16C Fighting Falcons. Very nearly on par with domestic F-16 jets, the Iraq shipment will be of the Block 52 variety (the most recent upgrade) and will not spare any of the standard features of the craft. The hope is, after all, that Iraq will remain an ally of the U.S. government, preventing any regrets down-the-line (I’m looking at you, U.S. Taliban weapon suppliers…). The airmen of Iraq are eagerly anticipating the arrival of their new airframe and a select few individuals are currently undergoing U.S. training here in the states to ensure the utmost proficiency. These men will also be responsible, in part, for training and mentoring their comrades back in Iraq in a few years’ time when the order is completed.

There is, however, another country hoping for F-16s: Taiwan. While the small nation already maintains a small fleet of U.S. supplied F-16s, they are of the older F-16A/B variety rather than C/D. But their requests are going largely unheeded as there exists a delicate situation. Taiwan-Chinese relations have long been touchy and the sale of modern weaponry to Taiwan puts China into a bit of a mood. Thus U.S. suppliers have only agreed to upgrade the current Taiwanese fleet rather than supplant it with brand new aircraft. It seems Chinese pressure is affecting U.S.-Taiwan relations and officials in Taiwan worry the buildup of Chinese war machines will eventually result in a swift, unstoppable takeover of their nation.

This is obviously against the best interests of Taiwan and the U.S., but it is never the less unnerving to see what was once a very solid relationship fading due to political pressures.

Source: F-16.net – Iraq Makes First Payment for 18 F-16s & Taiwan: No New F-16s for Now