Mohammed Rayyan


Colonel Mohammed Rayyan was an Iraqi fighter pilot and flying ace during the Iran–Iraq War. He scored 5 air combat kills and was the most successful MiG-25 pilot.
Rayyan, while only a Flight Lieutenant and flying a MiG-21MF, claimed two kills against Iranian F-5 Freedom Fighters in 1980. Later a Captain, he qualified on the MiG-25P in 1981 and claimed 5 more victories. Most of his victories were F-4 Phantoms. Having flown the MiG-25 was evidence of his considerable skill, as Soviet "advisers" were stationed in Iraq specifically to limit access to this advanced jet, and only the best pilots flew them.
In 1986, having attained the rank of Colonel, Rayyan was shot down and killed by Iranian Air Force Grumman F-14 Tomcats.