Iran acquired 141 Northrop F-5E and 28 F-5F Tiger IIs as a stopgap measure until either the General Dynamics F-16 or McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 would have been ready, and as advanced trainers. Eventually, this plan was never realised, and thus the type found itself serving as the primary closesupport platform of the IRIAF during the war with Iraq, for which it proved underequipped. The air force entered the conflict with about 128 intact F-5Es and 26 F-5Fs, but attrition was heavy – especially during the Battle of Khuzestan in October and November 1980 – decreasing the number of available airframes to fewer than 80 just two years later. This example is illustrated together with some of the weapons it deployed, including (from left to right): Mk.82, CBU-59, CBU-57/B and BL755, and one of 1,066 AIM-9P Sidewinders acquired for this type in 1976. (Artwork by Tom Cooper)