Changes

[[Iraq]] was the other foreign customer for the Tu-22, and the Blinder played an important role in the [[Iran-Iraq War]].  In the “war of the cities”, Tu-22s and Tu-16s attacked [[Iran]]ian cities, including [[Tehran]], in an effort to break civilian morale.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran-iraq.htm Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)] at GlobalSecurity.org</ref>  Some reports suggest that Soviet personnel took part in a number of these missions.<ref>''The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare'', ed. by Chris Bishop, Aerospace Publishing, 2001</ref>

[[Iraq]] was the other foreign customer for the Tu-22, and the Blinder played an important role in the [[Iran-Iraq War]].  In the “war of the cities”, Tu-22s and Tu-16s attacked [[Iran]]ian cities, including [[Tehran]], in an effort to break civilian morale.<ref>[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/iran-iraq.htm Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)] at GlobalSecurity.org</ref>  Some reports suggest that Soviet personnel took part in a number of these missions.<ref>''The Encyclopedia of 20th Century Air Warfare'', ed. by Chris Bishop, Aerospace Publishing, 2001</ref>

On March 19, 1988, Blinders took part in a major, two-part attack on the oil facilities at [[Khark Island]].  The first wave, composed of Tu-22s supported by [[Dassault Mirage F1|F1 Mirages]], destroyed two [[supertanker]]s and got away clean.  By the time the second wave came around, however, the Iranian air force was alerted.  Two Blinders were shot down, one by an [[F-14 Tomcat]], one by an [[F-4 Phantom]], and the bombers failed to cause significant damage to the facility.<ref>''Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat'', by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop, Osprey Publishing, 2004</ref>  At least six Iraqi Tu-22s were lost in combat during the war, mostly to F-14s and [[AIM-54 Phoenix|Phoenix missiles]].

On March 19, 1988, Blinders were part of a major, two-stage attack on the oil facilities at [[Khark Island]].  The first wave, composed of Tu-22s supported by [[Dassault Mirage F1|F1 Mirages]], destroyed two [[supertanker]]s and got away clean.  By the time the second wave came around, however, the Iranian air force was alerted.  Two Blinders were shot down, one by an [[F-14 Tomcat]], one by an [[F-4 Phantom]], and the bombers failed to cause significant damage to the facility.<ref>''Iranian F-14 Tomcat Units in Combat'', by Tom Cooper and Farzad Bishop, Osprey Publishing, 2004</ref>  At least six Iraqi Tu-22s were lost in combat during the war, mostly to F-14s and [[AIM-54 Phoenix|Phoenix missiles]].

Iraq’s remaining Blinders were still operational during the [[Gulf War]], but none flew against the Coalition forces.  All were most likely destroyed during or soon after the war.

Iraq’s remaining Blinders were still operational during the [[Gulf War]], but none flew against the Coalition forces.  All were most likely destroyed during or soon after the war.