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Australians Capture Bulk of Iraqi Air Force

(AP/San Francisco Chronicle) - Pamela Sampson The Al Asad airfield in the western Iraqi desert, captured by the Australian Special Air Service Regiment earlier this month, housed three fighter squadrons - the bulk of the Iraqi air force. The Australians have so far found 57 fighter aircraft, mostly Soviet-era MiGs but also three advanced MiG 25 Foxbats, the fastest combat aircraft today. Helicopters, radar systems, 18 million pounds of explosives, and a French-made Roland anti-aircraft missile system were also found. The MiGs escaped detection during the coalition bombing campaign. Some were buried, others were parked in date palm tree groves or tucked in dried out riverbeds and covered with camouflage sheets.
2003-04-25 00:00:00
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