“I maneuvered the aircraft to be behind and above them, I selected R-60MK heat-seeking missile, and a HUD symbology appeared (ER), which means target acquired, and I fired,” Capt. Jameel Sayhood, IrAF MiG-29 Pilot.
The MiG-29, referred to as the Fulcrum in Western countries, evolved into a key fighter aircraft for the Soviet Air Force and achieved notable success as an export, with almost one-third of the 1,500 first-generation Fulcrums produced by 1996 being sold to other nations. It saw service by 25 different countries worldwide.
Created as an affordable, widely manufactured light tactical fighter, the MiG-29 made its inaugural flight on October 6, 1977. Following comprehensive flight evaluations, it commenced production in 1982, with the Soviet Air Force receiving its first deliveries in 1983.
The Fulcrum was first tested in combat during the First Gulf War of 1990-91, which involved Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait followed by a US-led military operation to expel Iraq from Kuwait, seven years after it had been introduced into the Soviet Air Force. However, when Operation Desert Storm (referred to as Operation Granby in the UK) began, Iraq made minimal attempts to resist the Western coalition; in fact, there was very little activity from their fighter jets.
According to Iraqi sources reported by Yefim Gordon and Dmitriy Komissarov in their book Mikoyan MiG-29 & MiG-35, on January 19, 1991, an Iraqi Air Force (IrAF) MiG-29, piloted by Capt. Jameel Sayhood, shot down a Panavia Tornado GR.1A strike aircraft (ZA467/’EK’, c/n BS097/283/3133) from the Royal Air Force/No.31 Squadron using an R-60 air-to-air missile. The Tornado was conducting a low-level bombing attack against the Ar-Rutbah air defense radar installation; the crew members, Squadron Leader G.K.S. Lennox, the pilot, and Squadron Leader K. P. Weeks, the navigator, did not eject and lost their lives.
This is the firsthand account of Capt. Jameel Sayhood. ‘January 19th, 1991, Al-Waleed AB. I was on standby alert with my wingman, Capt. Alaa Abdul Jabbar, that day, in case the GCI ordered us to intercept. We were part of a detachment from Al-Qadisiyah AB stationed at Al-Waleed/H3 AB (we moved there the day before, January 18th). Two days earlier, on the first night of the war, we lost two brave pilots from our squadron when two MiG-29s were downed by USAF F-15s over Talha airfield, and we were eager for revenge, despite the declining ability of the Air Force to counter the coalition aircraft as our bases, runways, EW radars, and many other installations were either destroyed or damaged, but thanks to the efforts of the repair crews who did everything they could to get us airborne.
‘Already on January 19th, the day started for my squadron when two MiG-29s headed for an intercept of [a] US formation of AWACS and F-15s. So I was anxious to hear news about them.
‘Around midday, the air defense sector commander […] called the standby unit, and I answered the call. He told me the P-19 radars near the city of Hit had detected a four-ship formation—probably British Tornados-heading north from the Saudi borders. “We assess their destination [as] either Al-Waleed/H3 AB or Saad/H2AB or Al-Qadisiya AB or even Tammuz AB. Since we experienced what these planes do to runways with their JP223 bombs so you should be in the aircraft in case Al-Waleed AB is their target.”
‘I was ready in the aircraft at 1220 hrs, waiting. I [had] already checked the systems and missiles. I was carrying two R-27R semi-active radar-guided missiles and R-60MK heat-seeking missiles. […] I was thinking about the upcoming task and also about the other two MiG-29s already in the air to intercept the AWACS. Finally, the order came at 12.26h. The Tornados were coming toward me, so I was given permission to scramble immediately.
‘I switched the radio frequency to the AD sector, and the GCI notified me that “an enemy aircraft is to the right and directly below you!” I turned my head to the right and noticed an airplane, and since the sun was high in the sky, I noticed its shadow on the desert floor (it was an RAF Tornado, no doubt). […] I estimated the distance [as] 500 meters (1,640 feet), no more, and apparently, they didn’t notice me… I maneuvered the aircraft to be behind and above them. I selected the R-60MK heat-seeking missile, and a HUD symbology appeared (ER), which means the target was acquired, and I fired. Within a second, they turned their heads toward me… it appears they noticed the flash of the missile of their RWR warned them. That was the first and last time they saw me. A huge explosion rocked the plane, and soon it was engulfed in fire and crashed to the desert floor. […] They were flying at only 70 meters (230 feet).’
However, Western observers dismiss this claim because ZA467 was in fact shot down on Jan. 22, 1991, and attribute the loss to surface-to-air missiles. Another RAF Tornado GR.1A was indeed shot down on Jan. 19—a No. 27 Squadron aircraft (ZA396/’GE’, c/n BS063/194/3095) flown by pilot Flight Lieutenant David Waddington and navigator Flight Lieutenant Robbie Stewart, but this was a confirmed SAM’kill’.
Mikoyan MiG-29 & MiG-35 is published by Crecy and are available to order here.
Photo by Crown Copyright and Unknown
