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On 22
October 1980 two F-4D from the 71st Tactical Fighter Wing
(TAB 7, Shiraz) as usual in very low altitude on their way
to attack a large Iraqi Air Base at Habbaniyah, some 120 kilometers
due west from Baghdad. As they flew into the SAM defense of
the Iraqi capital, Sadly one Phantom was shot down by an Iraqi
SA-6 surface-to-air missile and crew was captured. While the
other F-4 out maneuvered the second missile by making an 11
G turn. Mean while trying to jam the enemy radar emissions
with its ALQ-109 jammer pod. The crew soon realized that it
was impossible to continue the attack and turned towards the
secondary target at Al-Bakr oil refinery.
After the successful attack, the F-4D turned toward the border,
with two Iraqi MiG-23MS in hot pursuit. The Iranian pilot
jettisoned it's empty drop tanks and blasted on high speed
at very low altitude going back with Iraqi's behind him firing
couple of R-13 (NATO code AA-2 Atoll) missiles. All could
be evaded, however, some 70 kilometers from the border the
Phantom crew realized that they spent to much fuel, and they
could not even reach the border any longer. Thus, they declared
an emergency and prepared to eject because they had no other
alternative. At this time the supporting Boeing 707 tanker
and two F-14A Tomcats that had waited behind the border did
cross into Iraq to provide fuel. At the time of contact between
the F-4D and Boeing 707 there were only 700lb. fuel left in
the tanks of the Phantom. Although the whole refueling operation
was undertaken in medium altitude and Iraqi radar had full
picture of what was going on not even one Iraqi interceptor
dare come close.
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