SU-22 Kill Over the Persian Gulf
In late January 1981 two F-14’s from Khatami Air Force Base were on combat
patrol over the southwest region of the Persian Gulf. At around noon, Iranian ground
radar picked up a target approximately 100 to 200 feet above sea level in the southern region of the Gulf, moving at a high rate of speed toward Bushehr. The ground radar operator directed the F-14’s to the incoming object. At this time the lead F-14 radar picked up the same aircraft and secured a radar lock on the target. After confirming the target was definitely hostile, and flying at a very low altitude and only a little over 30 miles away, the lead F-14 fired an AIM-54A Phoenix missile. The Phoenix hit the Iraqi SU-22 in the middle of the fuselage, cutting it in half.
Later the Radar Interception Officer in the lead F-14 reported seeing a fireball followed
by an immediate splash down in the ocean, confirming the very low altitude of the Iraqi SU-22. The RIO also observed a second SU-22 at this time, which was not picked up by radar earlier.
However the second SU-22 managed to evade the scene.
Submitted by F-14 RIO