AUSTRALIAN SAS WAR TROPHY IRAQI PILOTS HELMET CAPTURED AT AL ASAD AIRPORT DURING THE INVASION OF IRAQ 2003.
HISTORY
In 2003, as part of Operation Falconer during the invasion of Iraq, Australian SASR operators, along with commandos from the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (4RAR), conducted a successful raid on the Al Asad airfield in western Iraq. Their mission was to secure the airfield, and they discovered hidden aircraft, buried aircraft, large quantities of explosives, and potential chemical and biological weapons. The raid was a significant operational success, neutralizing potential threats and demonstrating the effectiveness of a small, well-trained force.
The Iraqi Air Force (irAF) operated a large but outdated fleet, including MiG-21s, MiG-23s, MiG-25s, MiG-29s, Mirage F.1s, Su-7s, Su-20s, Su-24s, and Su-25s. While the IrAF had numerous aircraft, many were older, less advanced, and poorly maintained compared to coalition forces, leading to their ineffectiveness during the conflict.
Pilots Helmet by Ulmer France
"Pilots Helmet Ulmer France" refers to aviation helmets made by the French company Ulmer Aeronautique, which are designed for various types of fighter jets, including the Rafale and Mirage, and for aircraft requiring oxygen and ejection seats, while the company MSA Safety also provides jet aircraft helmets, such as the LA 100. Ulmer helmets are generally for high-performance and combat aircraft.
Ulmer Helmets
- Company: Ulmer Aeronautique is a French company specializing in aviation equipment.
- Aircraft Type: Ulmer helmets are primarily used by pilots of modern, high-performance fixed-wing aircraft, including:
- Fighter Jets: Rafale, Mirage, Eurofighter, Sukhoï, MIG, F-15, F-16, F-18.
- Other Fighter Aircraft: Hawk, or any other type of fighter.
- Purpose: These helmets are used for combat missions and aerobatics, requiring the use of an oxygen supply and an ejection seat.
Aircraft used by the Iraqi Airforce during the invasion.
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Fighters and Interceptors:
MiG-21: The backbone of the IrAF, but considered outdated. MiG-23: A substantial part of the fleet, though not highly effective. MiG-29: A newer Soviet-made interceptor used by the IrAF. Mirage F.1: French-built fighters, also not used effectively during the war.
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Ground Attack and Bombers:
Su-24: A Soviet-made tactical bomber. Su-25: A dedicated ground-attack aircraft. Su-7: An older Soviet-designed aircraft used by Iraq. Su-20: Another Soviet-designed variant used for ground attack.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This Pilots Helmer by Ulmer France was purchased by me here in Western Australia which happens to be the home of the Australian SAS. The helmet bears a couple of stamps the read 1 SAS SQN Q, one is at the rear of the helmet which is clear to read and one is at the front of the helmet which is badly worn there is also what appears to be Arabic Writing on the leather tab of the rear neck support of the helmet which I have not had translated.
In past times I have seen other items that were war trophies from the Al Asad raid by the SASR and these were Mig Pilots clocks and Joy sticks that were also taken as souvenier's, I have not seen any of these for many years.
This is an opportunity for the SASR collector to add that special item to their collection