Changes

The MiG-29 was designed to meet a 1972 requirement for a maneuverable, high-tech fighter to replace the [[MiG-21]] and MiG-23.  The first prototype flew in 1977, and the Fulcrum entered operational service in the mid-80s.<ref>''The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft'', ed. by Sophearith Moeng, Airlife Publishing, 1994</ref>

The MiG-29 was designed to meet a 1972 requirement for a maneuverable, high-tech fighter to replace the [[MiG-21]] and MiG-23.  The first prototype flew in 1977, and the Fulcrum entered operational service in the mid-80s.<ref>''The Vital Guide to Military Aircraft'', ed. by Sophearith Moeng, Airlife Publishing, 1994</ref>

The [[Department of Defense]] acquired 21 "Fulcrums" from [[Moldova]] after learning that Iran had inspected the aircraft and were attempting to purchase them. Fourteen of the aircraft were the advanced "C" version, which carry a radar jammer.

The [[Department of Defense]] acquired 21 "Fulcrums" from [[Moldova]] after learning that Iran had inspected the aircraft and were attempting to purchase them. Fourteen of the aircraft were the advanced "C" version, which carry a radar jammer.<ref>[http://www.acig.org/artman/publish/article_281.shtml War in Moldova, 1992]</ref>

==Operational History==

==Operational History==

During the [[Gulf War]], Iraqi MiG-29s challenged the initial Coalition air strikes, but five were shot down by USAF F-15s in the first few days, and they never came close to being a serious threat.<ref>''F-15C Eagle Units in Combat'', by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>

During the [[Gulf War]], Iraqi MiG-29s challenged the initial Coalition air strikes, but five were shot down by USAF F-15s in the first few days, and they never came close to being a serious threat.<ref>''F-15C Eagle Units in Combat'', by Steve Davies, Osprey Publishing, 2005</ref>

MiG-29s were used by the Yugoslav Air Force during the Yugoslav Civil War.  On May 2, 1992, one was shot down by a [[Croatia]]n SAM, the pilot surviving to become a POW.<ref>[http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/mig-29.htm MiG-29 Fulcrum Losses and Ejections]</ref>  When [[Kosovo War|Operation Allied Force]] began, five Fulcrums were downed by [[NATO]] fighters in the first three days, with another falling to an American [[F-16]] later in the campaign.  By this time, Serbian MiGs suffered from lack of spare parts and proper radar support, so were not able to seriously challenge the NATO airstrikes.

MiG-29s were used by the Yugoslav Air Force during the Yugoslav Civil War.  On May 2, 1992, one was shot down by a [[Croatia]]n [[Surface-to-air missile|SAM]], the pilot surviving to become a POW.<ref>[http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Aircraft_by_Type/mig-29.htm MiG-29 Fulcrum Losses and Ejections]</ref>  When [[Kosovo War|Operation Allied Force]] began, five Fulcrums were downed by [[NATO]] fighters in the first three days, with another falling to an American [[F-16]] later in the campaign.  By this time, Serbian MiGs suffered from lack of spare parts and proper radar support, so were not able to seriously challenge the NATO airstrikes.

On February 24, 1996, a Cuban Air Force MiG-29 shot down two unarmed Cessna prop planes over international waters.  The Cessnas were flown by members of Brothers to the Rescue, an anti-[[Castro]] activist organization.  All four pilots were killed, and the Cuban government was widely condemned for the incident.<ref>[http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/86-99.html University of Minnesota Human Rights Library]</ref><ref>[http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju63608.000/hju63608_0.htm Shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue Planes]</ref>

On February 24, 1996, a Cuban Air Force MiG-29 shot down two unarmed Cessna prop planes over international waters.  The Cessnas were flown by members of Brothers to the Rescue, an anti-[[Castro]] activist organization.  All four pilots were killed, and the Cuban government was widely condemned for the incident.<ref>[http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/cases/86-99.html University of Minnesota Human Rights Library]</ref><ref>[http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/judiciary/hju63608.000/hju63608_0.htm Shootdown of Brothers to the Rescue Planes]</ref>