As Iraq emerges from conflicts first against Iran and then against the United Nations during Desert Storm, it is difficult to assess the true strength of its air force, which was approximately 30,000 men and 600 combat aircraft before the fighting began. Iraq's air force suffered heavy losses, especially against the U.N. coalition where most aircraft that entered air combat were shot down and those that didn't were largely destroyed on the ground. Many of the best Iraqi aircraft, including MiG-29's and Mirage F1's, were lost. Over one hundred aircraft escaped to Iran but appear to have been impounded. There remains, however, a sizeable number of flyable aircraft in the Iraqi arsenal. These forces still possess enough strength to fight again if Iraq becomes entagled in a future conflict.
