36 F-16's were ordered by the Iraqi air force (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Iraqiya), being block 52 C's (28) and D's (8), to provide the long-needed teeth against Islamic State (IS).
In 2015, the first examples were delivered to 9 squadron at Balad, north of Bagdad.
Before delivery, the Falcons were flying with 162FG at Tucson IAP.
Pictured is F-16C-52-CF 1611 (FMS 12-0008) during an overshoot at Tucson.
Another Iraqi 9 squadron F-16C seen at Tucson IAP, before delivery to Balad airbase, north of Bagdad.
The Iraqi air force flies slighltly downgraded block 52- F-16's. F-16C-52-CF 1612 is FMS 12-0009
One of 8 ordered Iraqi F-16D's, prior to delivery to Balad airbase is F-16D-52-CF 1602 (FMS 12-0017).
Iraqi F-16C/D's only have 1980's- vintage weaponry:
AIM-9L Sidewinder, AIM-7M Sparrow and AGM-65 Mavericks, but no AIM-9X and AIM-120 AMRAAM.
This makes the jet usable for internal counter-insurgency operations, surveillance and air defense against lower-end
threats like Iran and Syria.
It handicaps the jet's ability to skirmish with Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other major US allies in the region.
Additionally, sensitive systems on-board the jet, like its APG-68V9 pulse doppler radar,
Joint Helmet Mounted Cuing System, targeting pod, electronic warfare suite and identification
friend or foe (IFF) system all have tight export controls and have to be serviced by contractors.
First seen with Lockheed-Martin in September 2014 and pictured a year later after a short flight.
36 F-16C/D's at Balad wil enable the Iraqi air force to operate against IS and opposing forces in Iraq.
The order saw some delays due to the political situation in Iraq, but in July 2015 the first F-16's landed at their new airbase.
One month later, they participated in the first attacks against IS, which were rated 'succesful'.
F-16D-52-CF (or F-16IQ) 1603 (FMS 12-0018) shows full Iraqi markings and is in a clean configuration.
