The Islamic State has released photographs purporting to show its fighters downing an Iraqi helicopter near Baiji with a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS). The photos were disseminated on Twitter by Islamic State supporters after being posted elsewhere on the Internet. The terrorist organization has taken to releasing its propaganda via its supporters on Twitter as the majority of its official accounts are continuously being suspended by the social media site.
The photos bear the title of Wilyat Salahaddin, as Baiji is located within that administrative division of the Islamic State.
Media reports indicate that two Iraqi Army helicopters have been shot down near Baiji over the past week. According to DW:
Defense officials in Baghdad said IS [Islamic State] militants used a shoulder-fired missile to down an Iraqi military helicopter near the town of Bayji, home to the country’s largest oil refinery, located about 200 kilometers (130 miles) north of Baghdad. The two pilots on board were killed. It is the second Iraq military helicopter shot down over Baiji by the IS in one week.
Along with releasing pictures showing the downing of an Iraqi helicopter, the Islamic State recently published a guide on how to shoot down Apache helicopters. The guide comes with instructions on the use of MANPADS. For instance, in one paragraph it says: “Determination of [the] launching area: Preferably somewhere high. The roof of a building or a hill that is on a solid surface [ground] in order to prevent the appearance of dust following launching.” In addition, the instructions include a diagram of an Apache.
The Islamic State has previously shot down several Iraqi Army helicopters in Salahaddin province. Two helos were downed during an aborted attempt to retake Tikrit in late June. And in mid-August, the Islamic State shot down two more helicopters when it overran Camp Speicher, a large base just outside of Tikrit.
The photos of an Islamic State fighter firing at and hitting an Iraqi Army helicopter can be seen below:
Oren Adaki provided a translation from the Islamic State’s handbook for Apaches in this article.
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26 Comments
If one of these helicopters (Apaches) goes down someone is going to have to secure the crash site? I assume those will be Americans and will be wearing boots. The one thing I have not seen asked (perhaps because I missed it) is what defines a “boot” and how “ground” is defined.
After the stinger was introduced into Afghanistan In Sept of 1986 (long after the war was lost for the Soviets and they were seeking ways out) The Soviets changed their tactics to deal with the new weapon. One of these tactics for helicopters was that they tended to stay over friendly territory while conducting air support operations.
This will be somewhat of a problem in Iraq due to The Iraqi national Army’s lack of staying power. I assume that if IS was able to down an American helicopter they would want control of the crash site and would launch an attack to secure it. .Because of this I assume there is a sizable American force ready to respond to downed pilots helicopters and such, above and beyond the regular air rescue operations.
If possible could another commenter with experience in weapons please name the weapon and model used in the picture. It looks like an SA-7 to me but there are differences in the design to others I see on google. A model number/ variant name might give a clue as to the origin of the weapon.
Is that a Strela-2/SA-7? Can’t quite tell. Doesn’t look like a FIM-92…the targeting reticule looks different as does the backblast shield.
Now the US has sent Apache helicopters with US crews to Iraq, but lacks a ‘boots on the ground’ force to rescue the crew when they are shot down too.
What kind of MANPAD is that?
Notice how the Islamic State releases their photos on social media; the accurate timing of these events they have captured would suggest that they film these events with some type of video camera device, then choose to release a few still photos of the event after. But why? Do they fear their opsec might be compromised if they use social media in a stereotypical way, ie. telling everybody exactly where you are and what you are doing?
Looks like a Chinese FN-6
That’s a Stinger. Where did ISIS get a US MANPAD?
I have to agree with Tony that it appears to be a Chinese FN-6 as well. Also, from my understanding, IS had acquired a fair amount of these in Syria, and have used them there.
I would severely discount the possibility of them being Stingers, as if it is a holdover from our first involvement in AFG against the Russians, they would most likely not be serviceable/reliable for fielding.
It’s a SA-18….
It’s not a Stinger.
Tony, good eye. It matches up with the square muzzle.
http://chinesemilitaryreview.blogspot.com/2012/03/hongying-6-fn-6-man-portable-air.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3IIc1I6f74
It strongly resembles an FN-6.
Someone is handing them out like Chicklets.
Definitely not a US Stinger.
Yeah FN-6, supplied to Syrian rebels, guessing by Qatar. Clearly not a Stinger, as you can make out the protruding IR sensor nose of the FN-6.
Absolutely no question, it’s a Chinese FN-6
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/767977.shtml
or
http://defence.pk/threads/syria-chinese-fn-6-manpads-shoots-down-two-russian-mi-8-17-helicopters.243216/
or just Google Images “chinese fn-6 missile”
Tony is correct it has been verified as Chinese:
http://www.janes.com/article/44267/islamic-state-uses-manpads-against-iraqi-helo
That is definitely NOT a Stinger. The “boxy” Muzzle, battery mount on the CLU and seeker head clearly ID it as a FN-6 variant as Tony stated.
Ghadafi’s last laugh, would be my guess.
That is not Stinger or Sa series of manpads. It is a Chinese made FN-6.
@Watcher
They’re looted the Stinger from the Iraqi Army, when they fled like chickens
its not a stinger – almost certainly an FN-6. Chinese first gen, max flight 4,000 mtrs. Was/is used by Syrian army – joining the dots? Primary recognition from article phots is the forward position of the trigger mech housing. FN-6 also has square section at sharp end – thats the only bit that isn’t completely clear. Could well be wrong…….
Where did they get the MANPADS? Why, from Libya, after Gaddafi’s fall.
The shipment of such devices to terrorists in Syria/Iraq, and the cover-up of Ambassador Steven’s death, is satirized, by America’s dismayed, returning Founding Fathers:
http://www.amazon.com/Foundering-Fathers-Jefferson-Franklin-Abigail/dp/1492257923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407805897&sr=8-1&keywords=foundering+fathers+moser
It’s definitely a Chinese FN-6. They’re already confirmed to be in theatre, plus you can tell by the squared-off barrel.
Not a Stinger. FN-6
Clearly, Watcher, that is not a FIM-92 “Stinger”. I agree with the comment above your’s that it appears to be a FN-6.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIM-92_Stinger
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FN-6
yep, FN-6