EXCLUSIVE: SyAAF MiG-25PD Fires R-40 Missiles as AGM!!

On 25th March 2014, the Syrian mighty MiG-25 recorded its first appearance since years, in action over the eastern countryside of Hama governorate, exactly over Eqeirbat town. After that, the SyAAF kept sending this interceptor to that area as recorded on 28th March, 2nd April and 4th April.

On 4th April, remnant of R-40 Air-to-Air missile -as can be seen above- was found unexploded in the suburbs of Eqeirbat confirming the incident which was witnessed by a local, reporting the aircraft launched pair of missiles which were 'the time they left the aircraft' slower than those usually fired from pods (unguided rockets).

 

Here above, I publish this EXCLUSIVE video which is considered the proof of that incident took place on 2nd April showing the twin-tailed jet firing a pair of R-40 missiles against ground targets in an action could be registered a unique of its type in the whole air combat history!!

P.S This post is preferably to be read in conjunction with Oryx's POST about the same incident.

Eye-Catching AFB: T4 (Syria)

I believe it's time to talk about a very attractive Syrian AFB, especially after the great Apple maps revealed its latest and most recent aerial images...it's the T4.
T4 (or as named in GE "Tiyas" which is not known at all with this name in Syria) is located in the Syrian desert 80km to the east of Homs city.

T4, is one of the most important AFB's in Syria since it is STILL the main home base for the Syrian Su-24MK fleet, and WAS for the sadly phased-out most of the MiG-25PD's fleet.
This AFB witnessed the operation of Su-7, Su-22M, Su-24MK, MiG-25PD/PU/RB, MiG-29 in addition to the two Il-28 SyAAF used to have in 1960s.
Above is a key map for the views below:

View 1: This is the first aerial image which clearly confirms the phasing-out of MiG-25PD's, four airframes sadly towed into the desert.

View 2: The north-eastern HAS's shows another MiG-25s still parked outdoor, they look here more stored than phased-out.
Note the two fuselage of scrapped Su-7s to the upper right corner.

View 3: The south-eastern HAS's also shows few MiG-25s stored aside outside.

View 4: another four MiG-25s parked outside.

View 5: To the furthest west of this AFB, two yards received ten MiG-25s, the western HAS's used to be occupied by Su-22 squadrons.

View 6: Another four confirmed phased-out MiG-25s been towed also in the desert.
From these satellite images, T4 became a boneyard for the MiG-25 fleet in which we can count at least 27 airframes (stored/phased-out), but referring to the video of Tadmor airbase in which at least three MiG-25PD/PU appeared then we assume that only few units might be still operational till todate.

SyAAF Various II

While the Syrian uprising continues, more and more videos come through the media, either the official Syrian TVs or by holders of simple mobile phones doing their best to record any single military stuff their eyes may catch.

Above is a Mig-23ML with over-painted serial, the fuselage of this aircraft looks new and clearly is one of those units overhauled in Krasnodar facility two or three years ago.

Another Mig-23ML (or even the same, but they forgot to hide the serial which is clearly 2799) taxiing, note the camo is exactly like the Mig-23ML spotted in Krasnodar in 2010 HERE

A pilot just got into the cockpit of a Su-22 reg. 25X7, might be an M4 variant (Fitter-K).

What made me assume it's an M4 variant is the display TV on the upper right corner.

This is apparently an old recording of green-tinted radar dome Mig-23MF trio was embedded in one of the recently emerged videos.

The same old recording shows a full Mig family formation served in the SyAAF (sadly without the legendary Mig-17), with Mig-29 in the front, Mig-23MS or MF, Mig-21 (could be a trainer U variant), and the biggest member of Mig family the Mig-25PD.

Here is a video recorded by some civilian in Tadmor, should be standing somewhere near 34°33'44.97"N 38°17'16.89"E, looking between 34°33'30.88"N 38°18'17.86"E and 34°33'31.00"N 38°18'2.58"E.

I just included here the GE coordinates above to prove that it is realy Tadmor airport, not the T4 AFB which is the home base of the Mig-25 (at least PD & PU variants).

In this video we can see a Mig-25PD.

Another Mig-25PD near the double HAS.

And one trainer PU variant in the middle.

This video confirms that the fleet of Mig-25 is not withdrawn from service as few sources claimed.