Nickname(s) Sky Falcon Name Mohommed Rayyan Rank Colonel Battles/wars Iran–Iraq War † Service/branch Iraqi Air Force | Years of service 1977–1986 Battles and wars Iran–Iraq War Allegiance Iraq Died 1986 | |
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Colonel Mohommed Rayyan (died 1986), nicknamed "Sky Falcon," was a fighter pilot with the Iraqi Air Force during the Iran–Iraq War. He scored 5 air combat kills, making him an ace and the most successful Iraqi fighter pilot of that war.
Rayyan, while only a Flight Lieutenant and flying a MiG-21MF, claimed two (later confirmed) kills against Iranian F-5 Freedom Fighters in 1980. Later a Captain, he qualified on the MiG-25P in 1981 and claimed 5 more victories (3 verified by western sources.) Most of his victories were F-4 Phantoms. Having flown the MiG-25 was evidence of his considerable skill, as Soviet "advisers" were stationed in Iraq specifically to limit access to this advanced jet, and only the best pilots flew them.
In 1986, having attained the rank of Colonel, Rayyan was shot down and killed by IRIAF Grumman F-14 Tomcats.
His 5 air combat victories make Rayyan the most successful MiG-25 fighter pilot ever.