[RJLee]

The headline is misleading -- sales of jet parts (or anything else, really) to Iran were already illegal, and have been for decades. What they're talking about here is to ban the sale of any F-14 parts to anyone, period, because of the risk of illegal diversion to Iran. Since the jet is now retired in US service, this practically means that air museums won't be able to buy parts for their display aircraft. This is hardly a major policy question, but since nobody's ox is getting gored (except maybe for air museums, who are not players in D.C.), this is an easy "national security" oriented issue for the new Congress. Personally I think it's much ado about nothing, as the Pentagon had already clamped down hard on F-14 parts well before any legislation had been introduced.

Iran did get A-model Phoenix missiles and used some of them in combat. At the time of the sale they were staunch allies -- and Iranian money probably saved the F-14 program given the budgetary situation at the time.

[von hitchofen]

the US Govt "secretly" sold a load of F14 engine parts and avionics in 1987 to keep Hesbollah sweet and get back the US hostages in Lebanon, giving the IRIAF Tomcat fleet a shot in the arm

the USS Vincennes thought an F14 was approaching the when it launched its Sea Sparrow, bringing down an Airbus instead

the Iranian government said there would a "proportionate response"

There was over Lockerbie, Scotland, Christmas 1988

[bsmith13]

Originally Posted by chiefs70

Well, if I recall correctly, they never got any Phoenix missiles and have been notoriously neglegent in their maintenance of the aircraft which is a severe handicap. In fact, they rarely fly them because even with the parts sales it was a trickle compared to what they needed to stay fully operational. In the end, it is the training and skill of the pilots which will make the greatest difference and Iran can't hold a candle to our aircrews in that regard.

I never understood why the US needed to enter into arms sales with countries which were not steadfast allies but what do I know.

Actually, the US did sell Phoenix Missiles to Iran. This was done when the Shah was in power, and the Shah was a steadfast ally until he was overthrown. May I recommend Osprey's books on Iranian F-14s and F-4s? Really good read!

[panzercommander]

Originally Posted by admin

it sounds like the Raptor chews up five Eagles at time in exercises

That must have been on a bad day. Check out this quote from wikipedia:

In June 2006 during Exercise Northern Edge (Alaska's largest joint military training exercise), the F-22A achieved a 144-to-zero kill-to-loss ratio against F-15s, F-16s and F/A-18s simulating Mig-29 'Fulcrums', Su-30 'Flankers, and other current front line Russian aircraft, with at times the F-22A being outnumbered 4 to 1. The small F-22 force of 12 aircraft generated 49% of the total kills for the exercise, and operated with an unprecedented reliability rate of 97%.