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Iranian Imperial/Republic Air Force / Nirou Havai Shahanshaiye Iran
Credit: Roundels of the world
Last update 06-03-2023
It
is very difficult, as in many countries, to obtain reliable
information about military aviation in Iran. During the Imperial era
most
information has come from outside sources, particularly the USA. There
are slight
differences, according to source, regarding the exact number
of Freedom Fighters supplied. All
datas given in this section are unofficial. Only confirmation is to
where aircrafts are based as F-5s have the number of
the Air Base where they are stationed paintedd on the tail.
The
Islamic Republic has been lately more open in showing aircrafts, but
sometimes mixing reality with confusing information. Good
photos of F-5s have surfaced thanks to local information agencies and aviation
enthusiasts. Various very detailed information have been
published by Tagweeh Babak in British (mainly) and French aviation
magazines.
To
calculate the local (Iranian) calender deduct 621 from the
Gregorian (Western) calender. The name "Shahid" means martyrer.
Tactical Air Bases
- Teheran/Mehrabad = 1st Tactical Air Base "Shahid Lashkari"
- Tabriz
= 5th Tactical Ar Base, name modified to = 2nd Tactical Air Base "Shahid Fakoori"
- Hamedan/Shahrokhi = 3rd Tactical Air Base
- Dezful/Vahdati
= 2nd Tactical Ar Base, name modified to = 4th Tactical Air Base "Shahid Nojeh"
- Akha Jari/Omidieh =
5th Tactical Air Base
- Bushehir = 6th Tactical Air Base
- Shiraz/Dowran = 7th Tactical Air Base
- Isfahan
= 8th Tactical Air Base "Shahid Babiee"
- Chah Bahar/Konak = 10th Tactical Air Base" Shahid Dol Hamed"
- Mashad
= 14th Forward Air Station "Shahid Babael",
"Shahid" was applied after the war with Iraq and means "martyr"
NORTHROP F-5 Fighter Units
No (almost) unit aircrafts establihment/disponibilty is mentioned as the number available varied very much.
IMPERIAL IRANIAN AF (IIAF) - PRE FEBRUARY 1979 REVOLUTION - First Period, Freedom Fighters - Order of Battle by 1971
Tactical Air Bases were designed by one digit - Squadrons by three digits starting with the TAB number.
Hereunder
are listed all those those thought to have been equipped with Northrop
F-5A, Northrop F-5B, Northrop F-5E, Northrop F-5F
with details of former/later equipment aircrafts (where known).
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1st Fighter Wing - to 1s TAB 1965, Teheran/Mehrabad
- 101st Tactical Fighter Squadron, Northrop F-5A, F-5B - RF-5A
Supplanted North
American F-86F and Lockheed RT-33A
Second unit to receive Freedom Fighters, still flying Northrop F-5A in November 1965, March 1969,
Received 13 Northrop
RF-5A; McDonnell F-4D, later McDonnell RF-4E (16 total Iran AF), delivery to Iran between 1971 and 1978.
- 102nd Tactical
Fighter Squadron, Northrop F-5A, F-5B
By 1970 formerly equipped with North American
F-86F, transitioned to McDonnell F-4D
- 103rd Tactical Fighter
Squadron
First unit to receive Freedom Fighters: 11 Northrop
F-5, 2 Northrop F-5B 12-01-69, newly established.
Formerly equipped with 4 North Amerinca F-86F, operated in Congo from 16 January to 05 May 1963; is mentioned as having F-5A, F-5B
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2nd Fighter Wing - to 2nd TAB Dezful/Vahdati 1965 , name changed tor 4th TAB, started operation in 1968
- 201st Tactical Fighter Squadron Northrop F-5A in use by 1970. formerly equipped with North Amerinca F-86F ex 1st Fighter Wing.
- 202nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron Northrop F-5A in use by August 1968, 1970. Formerly equipped with North Amerinca F-86F ex 1st Fighter Wing.
- 203rd Combat Crew Training Squadron
Was the main operational
training unit; 15
Northrop F-5B were used by the end of 1974; formerly equipped with North
American F-86F.
Third unit to receive Freedom Fighters, in use 1969, but merged with 203rd Squadron by 1971
- 204st Tactical Fighter Squadron Northrop F-5A in use by 1970
All Freedom Fighters tranferred to Vietnam were from Vahdati, 2nd TAB; by 1975-76 six Iranian aircrafts were sold
to Jordan
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3rd TAB Hamadan/Shahrokhi - starts operation 1963
- 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron Northrop F-5A, F-5B
Formed in March 1966, aircrafts delivered 1966-1967
Transitioned
to McDonnell F-4E, delivery to Iran starting 1971
- 302nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, Northrop F-5A, F-5B
Formed in March 1966, new unit, aircrafts delivered 1966-1967
Sharjah AB was visited on 31-03-67 by 14 F-5As (6 silver, 8 camouflaged) and 1 camouflaged
F-5B of the 302nd Fighter Squadron,
supported by 3 Lockheed C-130H of
the 50th Transport Squadron.
- 303rd Tactical Fighter Squadron, new unit, probably not established
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5th TAB Tabriz/Omidieh, star
- 501st Tactical Fighter Squadron, new unit, Northrop F-5A aircrafts deliverd by 1971
- 502nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, new unit, Northrop F-5A aircrafts deliverd by 1971
One Squadron was based here in 1971, having the last 17 Northrop F-5A, 9 F-5B having been supplied.
These units were the last ones
equipped with the last 28 Freedom Fighters delivered.
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6th TAB Bushehir
- 601st Tactical Fighter Squadron, new unit, Northrop F-5A aircrafts
Base was under construction in 1970; unit received McDonnwll F-4E later.
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= = = = = = = = = = = =
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
IMPERIAL IRANIAN AF (IIAF) - PRE FEBRUARY 1979 REVOLUTION - Second Period, Freedom Fighters/Tigers - Order of Battle
Three digits designation Squadrons was modified to first Air Base and last Squadron digit late 1971, but keeping the subsequent numbers.
1s TAB Teheran/Mehrabad
- 11th
Tactical Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B
Freedom Fighters replaced by McDonnell F-4D
- 11th
Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron - 4 Northrop
RF-5A
McDonnell RF-4E received between 1973 and 1975, but kept some Northrop RF-5A
- 12th
Tactical Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B
Replaced Freedom Fighters by McDonnell F-4E
between 1973 and 1975.
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2nd TAB /Dezful/Vahdati (name modified to 4th TAB)
- Combat Crew Training Center
- 21st Tactical Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B, F-5E, F-5F
Trained
all pilots apart from first 55 trained in USA. The unit strength was
1in 1970 8 Northrop F-5A, 18 F-5B and 10 Lockhhed T-33A.
These last were used for familiarisation to the US environement after having received their training in Iran.
- 22nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B, F-5E, F-5F
An four-ship RF-5A detachment was stationed at the base by beginning of the war with Iraq,
21st, 22nd TFS, together with 41st TFS, 42 TFS, were the last operational units
operating Freedom Fghters
All re-equipped with Northrop F-5E by the end of 1974.
The acrobatic Squadron "Taj Talle/Golden Crown" with 8 F-5E was stationed here, later dissolved by order of Ayatollah Khomeni.
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3rd TAB Hamadan/Shahroki
- 31st Tactical
Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980
Re-equipped wiht McDonnell F-4E and or RF-4E by 10-82
- 32nd Tactical
Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980
Unit disbanded
- 33rd
Tactical Fighter Squadron - F-5A, F-5B
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980
Re-equipped wiht McDonnell F-4E by 1980 by 10-82
Both
re-designated (possibly in December 1971) upon
re-equipment to McDonnell F-4E, delivery starting
in March 1971, completed in 1972
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4th TAB Dezful/Vahdati former 5th TAB
- 41st Tactical Training Squadron . Northrop F-5A, F-5E
Formerly equipped with Republic F-84G. All Republic F-84G operated till 1965
Freedom Fighters flown October 1972, replaced by 1975 by Northrop F-5E
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980
- 42nd Tactical
Fighter Squadron - Northrop F-5A, F-5B, replaced by 1975 by Northrop F-5E
Formerly equipped with Republic F-84G. All Republic F-84G operated till 1965.
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980
An four-ship Northrop RF-5A detachment was stationed at the base by beginning of the war with Iraq.
41st
TFS, 42 TFS, together with 21st and 22nd TFS, were the last operational units
operating Freedom Fghters
- 43rd Tactical
Training Squadron - F-5B, replaced by 1975 by Northrop F-5E/F-5F
Operated Northrop F-5 in October 1980, ca 12 F-5/F-5F -10-82
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7th TAB Shiraz/Ahvaz
- 71st Tactical
Fighter Squadron - Northrop RF-5A, F-5A
Some former Ethiopian Northrop F-5A; replaced by McDonnell F-4E. It seems no F-5s were ever based in Shiraz
An four-ship Northrop RF-5A detachment was stationed at this Base by beginning of the war with Iraq.
- 72nd Tactical
Fighter Squadron An badge of this unit is known; did it exist?
7th TAB Sidewinder armed Northrop F-5A 2-7255 and an Northrop RF-5A, serial unreadable
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10th TAB Chabahar/Konak (was
under construction by 1978)
- 43rd Combat Commander Training School
By 1978 based where detachments of Northrop F-5B, Northrop F-5E, F-5F Tiger from TFB
1, TFB 4; TFB 2 (last with McDonnell F-4D, F-4E)
Aircrafts returned to their original Base as base not completed.
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ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN AF - (IRIAF) - AFTER FEBRUARY 1979 REVOLUTION
Tactical Fighter Bases (TAB) Air Base numbers were painted mid-tails, after the war. (when?)
One source states that by December 1979 following Tactical Air Bases/Squadrons were thought to
exist. Twelve single- Northrop F-5E as well as two double-seaters were the normal equipment, exception are shown below:
1st TAB Teheran/Mehrabad
- 11th Tactical Fighter Squadron - 2 Northrop F-5E, 2 Northrop F-5A; 23 Northrop F-5A and F-5B stocked
- 1st Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron with 2 Northrop RF-5A, 4 Northrop RF-5A modified to fighter F-5A, 14 Northrop RF-5A stocked;
a four-ship Northrop RF-5A was detached in this Base at the beginning of the war with Iraq
Also available were Lockheed RT-33A. The (possibly) two last remaining Northrop RF-5A were transferred by ca 1995 to Dezful/Vahdati AFB
- 13th Test and Evaluation Sqn with 2 Northrop F-5E
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2nd TAB Tabriz after the war named "Shahid Fakoori"
- 21st
Tactical Fighter Squadron
Equipped with Northrop F-5s by the end of the conflict (1988).
- 22nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron
Baghdad museum/Zawra Park circa October 1987
Northrop F-5E
3-7056 00976 2 TAB crash landed, but captured by Iraq almost intact.
Had been disbanded by the end of the conflict (1988).
- 23rd
Tactical Fighter Squadron
This unit is reported to be also equipped with HESA Saeqeh I in September 2010, both for air
defence and ground attack;
4 participated to the parade on 17-04-11.
Formation of an official aerobatic demonstration team with Saeqeh I was annouced the Kish Island air equipped end of November 2018
2nd TAB Northrop F-5E, F-5F were photographed on: 28-11-18 Mehrabad, 10-02-19 Mehrabad
2nd TAB HESA Saeqeh I, camouflaged, were photographed on: 2016 Kish/28-11-18 Mehrabad, 10-02-19 Mehrabad.
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4th TAB Dezful/Vahdati
- 41st Tactical Fighter Squadron
Possibly still equipped with the Northrop Fighter
- 42nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron
Unit
dissolved, all aircrafts first returned to their original units; later
(ca 1980) transferred to 7th Tactical Air Base - Shiraz AB
- 43rd
Tactical Fighter Training Squadron "Tiger" with 8 Northrop F-5E, 2 Northrop F-5F, 6 Northrop F-5B
A four-ship Northrop RF-5A detachment was stationed at this Base by beginn of the war with Iraq on 22-09-80.
The (possibly) last two remaining Northrop RF-5A were received ca 1995 from the 11th Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron
In the before 2009 xxxxx the commander of the Tactical Air Base 4 learned that the McDonnell F-4 operating from Bushehir had a Sharkmouth
painted on decided to paint an Eagle (4X Sqn) and a Tiger heads (4X Sqn) on the tails of some of its Northrop F-5E/F-5F.
Photo: Aerospacetalk.ir
Herewith a shoto showing several Northrop F-5s
tails with the Eagle and the serials painted in several ways.
Note also the different camouflage of each
aircraft. Other aircrafts had a Tiger head on the tail (see Iran
upgrades).
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5th TAB Tabriz/Omidien
- 51st Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 52nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
Possibly operated at least 7 Northrop and 9 Northrop F-5E in September 1980 and some in October 1982.
Deifinitely flying later Chengdu F-7
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7th TAB Shiraz/Ahvaz Khatami AB (later as 8th TAB), established circa 1980
- 71st Combat Crew Training Squadron
With Northrop F-5A, RF-5A by the end of the conflict (1988)
The unit was equipped by September 1980, when the war with Iraq started, with Grumman F-14A
It received six former
21st TFS Northrop F-5E approximately 1992;
Planned to be re-equipped with MiG-29, but delivery cancelled in 1992 due to embargo.
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8th TAB (former 7th TAB) Izfahan
- 81st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron
Photo: unknown
Unknown Northrop F-5Es and HESA Simorgh shown in a parade, airbase
number on tail not readable
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14th TAB Izfahan/Mashad now TAB 8 Izfahan
- 141st Tactical Fighter Squadron with F-5E/F-5F
Had a few Northrop F-5E, F-5F ex 7th TAB in Tabriz AB attached on rotational basis.
IRIAF units equipped/ re-equipped / disbanded during/after the Iraq-Iran war 1980-1988)Number
of aircrafts based on Tactical Air Bases varied very much, particularly
during the war as they were shifted to different bases.
Recent
photos show F-5s
tails adorned with the numbers 2, 4 or 8, relating to the Tactical AB
where they are based. Only four
Tiger Squadrons have been
reported to exist after the war, plus one
advanced training Squadron with F-5B/Simorgh; no pictures show aircrafts with TAB tail number 14
Though
mainly a ground/attrition war with Iraq (1980-1988) Northrop RF-5A,
Northrop F-5E, McDonnell F-4D/E RF-4E were extensively used.
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A
new organisation was rebuilt due to the devastating war with Iraq and spare parts shortage from the
USA. Additionally, new fighters were bought from
non-USA fonts:
24 Chengdu F-7/FT-7 from the People's Republic of
China, 36 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29A, 6 MiG-29 UB form Russia and 6 MiG-29 flown from Iraq during the war with the USA.
This is reflected on the equipment of the various Air Bases/Squadrons. Almost all bases were renamed after the war with the name or a martyrer (Shahid) as written below.
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1st TAB Teheran/Mehrabad - 11th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Had been re-equipped with McDonnell F-4D by September 1980
- 1st Tactical Reconnaissance
Squadron - Received McDonnell RF-4E between 1971 and 1979.
- 13th Test and Evaluation Sqn - no information. most probably disbanded
2nd TAB Tabriz "Shahid Fakouri" - 21st
Tactical Fighter Squadron - Northrop F-5E, F-5F, 1 F-5F Kowsar 1.
By end of 2020, operated Northrop F-5E, F-5F in February 2022, 11-01-23 Tabriz (F-5F)
Photo: YJC/Behrad Azizpour
Northrop F-5E 3-7336 armed with AIM-9J Sidewinder3-7336 (probably) seen during the "Zulfikar" 1400 excercise
- 22nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron - Disbanded by the end of the conflict (1988)
- 23rd Tactical Fighter Squadron - Re-equipped with Mikoyan-Gurevitch MiG-29A/MiG-29 UB
delivered between 1996 and 1999, and later by IAMI Saegeh, Iranian F-5E derivative.
Operated by end 2020 6 Saegeh I single-seaters and 1 F-5F Saegeh double-seater
A picture of Northrop F-E 3-7315 taken at Vahdati on 06-03-2024 has a digit "2" on tail
Photo: N Arya
In-flight view of camouflaged Saegeh 1 single and double-seaters
Northrop F-5F belonging to the 2nd TAB 3-7174, 3-7173 and an unknown Kowsar, acrobatic team
4th TAB Dezful/Vahdati "Shahid Vahdati" - 42nd
Tactical Fighter Squadron - Disbanded, all F-5 aircrafts returned to their original units
- 43nd
Advanced and Weapons Training Squadron renamed as
- 43rd Combat Commander
Training School with 9 Northrop F-5B (starting -11-09), later Northrop F-5E, F-5F
A picture of Northrop F-5B 3-7012 taken at
Dezful on 25-03-2022 has a big 4 (TAB?) on tail, while Northrop serial
2-7256 (no date known) show a crudely painted "4" on tail as well as a
black painted nose radome like a Northrop F-5E, see below.
5th TAB Tabriz "Shahid Ardestan" - 51st Tactical Fighter Squadron - 53nd Tactical Fighter Squadron
most probably disbanded, no F-5E photo ever seen.
51st Tactical Fighter Squadron has been equipped with CAIC F-7N and F-7TN
Base disbanded in 2009
7th TAB Shiraz Ahvaz "Shahid Dowran" (later as 8th TAB, see below), established circa 1980
- 71st Combat Crew Training Squadron
By September1980, when the war with Iraq started, was equipped with Grumman F-14A, kept till December 1988 (end of the war)
With Northrop F-5A, RF-5A by the end of the conflict (1988).
The unit possessed in 1986 11
Northrop F-5B in 1986, including 3 purchased from Ethiopia). In
addition 3 Northrop F-5F were obtained from 4th Air Base,
waiting to receive Lpckheed T-33A and Lockheed RT-33A for the Flight
Academy (see below)
It
received six former
21st TFS Northrop F-5E approximately 1992; planned to be re-equipped with MiG-29, but delivery
was cancelled in 1992 due to embargo.
The Unit was transferred to the Air University at Izfahan in 1996
8th TAB Izfahan "Baabaiee"
- 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron was re-equipped with Grumman F-14A at least since September 1980 (probably earlier), till at least December 1980
- 85th Advanced and Weapons Training Squadron-
Using till mid 1990s 7th TAB Northrop F-5A, nine Northrop F-5B, mainly tasked with advanced weapons and
flight training, till March 2010
Freedom Fighters trainers
transferred to:
- 86th Advanced
and Weapons Training Squadron
Using all Iranian Northrop F-5Bs
plus
several former Ethiopian Northrop F-5A/F-5B and Vietnamese Northrop F-5A/F-5B,
many locally modified to Simorgh standards.
Chengdu and FT-7 and FT-7 are used, delivered end 1987 to Iran and received 2008
The Flight Acadeny Center, became 23-09-96 part of the Air University , including the Training Squadron with Beech Bonanza (locally named Paratsoo) based at Kooshk-e-Nosrat,
the 84th Squadron with Pilatus PC-7, the 86th Squadron, or F-5 Combat Crew Center (15 Northrop F-5B/Simorgh) both based at Izfahan.in addition to the CAIC F-7/TF-7 Combat Crew Center
According to US information the
85th Squadronis by the end of 2022 is still operational requipped with
Northrop F-5As and F-5Bs plus Chinese Chengdu FT-7N.
Based on the same base are 3 Grumman F-14 Units (81, 82, 83 Squadrons)
14th TAB Mashad after the war named "Shahid Babael" - Base disbanded in 2008
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Air Bases were transferred to the Air Defense Force/Gharargabe Padafand (formed in 2008) Command by September 2014, which also controls all land based air defence
(surface-to-air
missiles, radars, anti-aircraft guns).
The Air Force uses large numbers of Northrthop F-5E for day-time Quick
Rereaction Alert, while McDonnel F-4s operate for all-weather QRA
duties.
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Available Squadron badges:
11th Combat Crew Taining 11th Tactical Reconnaissance 43rd Tactical Fighter Taining Flight School Center Aggressor pilot badge Unknown on F-5E 3-7157
at Mehrabad on 19-04-15
71st Combat Crew Taining as seen on TAB 7 71 Tactical Fighter as seen on TAB 7 72 Tactical Fighter