[Photo] Iranian P-3F maritime patrol plane “buzzes” U.S. carrier’s control tower

February 1, 2014 Aircraft Carriers, Iran, Troubled Areas

David Cenciotti

New images show how close to the U.S. carriers operating in the Strait of Hormutz, Iranian planes fly.

We have recently published some images showing an F/A-18E Super Hornet escorting an IRIAF (Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force) P-3F flying quite close to USS Abraham Lincoln in the Persian Gulf.

Here you can find some new photographs taken from aboard the U.S. flattop as the P-3F took a close look at the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier (ok, it’s not really buzzing the tower, but it’s not that far away).

It’s unclear whether the “flyby” was conducted on the same day the Iranian plane was escorted by the Hornet; still, the new images not only prove close encounters in the region occur but they also clearly show the indiscreet Orion in the “exotic” IRIAF color scheme.

Image credit: U.S. Navy via Militaryphotos.net (thanks to FdeStV and Kasra Ghanbari for the heads-up)

About David Cenciotti

David Cenciotti is a journalist based in Rome, Italy. He is the Founder and Editor of “The Aviationist”, one of the world’s most famous and read military aviation blogs. Since 1996, he has written for major worldwide magazines, including Air Forces Monthly, Combat Aircraft, and many others, covering aviation, defense, war, industry, intelligence, crime and cyberwar. He has reported from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Syria, and flown several combat planes with different air forces. He is a former 2nd Lt. of the Italian Air Force, a private pilot and a graduate in Computer Engineering. He has written five books and contributed to many more ones.

pl says:

February 2, 2014 at 2:15 PM

How long can Iran keep them airborn without spare parts?
- WinstonCDN says:
  
  February 2, 2014 at 8:11 PM
  
  These aircraft fly, but their avionics and ASW systems are obsolete and not operational.
  - Chode says:
    
    February 4, 2014 at 12:34 AM
    
    And you know this how, exactly? Do you have a shred of evidence that the avionics and ASW systems are non-functional? We should take your word for it…Because you are who, exactly?
    - WinstonCDN says:
      
      February 5, 2014 at 4:29 AM
      
      read the latest issue of air forces monthly about their P-3F fleet
Agha says:

February 7, 2014 at 6:23 PM

Whatever you say, dear Winston.
Cody3/75 says:

February 13, 2014 at 3:22 AM

You’re wrong, deal with it. Everything “Tom Cooper” said is correct, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the Iranians or the Americans as it has happened for decades between various aircraft and other aircraft or aircraft and ships. It continues to this day. Haven’t you see the literally thousands of photos of American aircraft intercepting Russian bombers as they inspect American warships during the Cold War?

You were corrected, politely. Instead of saying “Oh nifty, I didn’t know that (obviously). Thanks for the info” you chose to respond with derogatory comments and personal attacks. Your kind isn’t welcome here. Go back to discussing military power on YouTube. That’s where your ilk live and thrive.
keith harmon snow says:

February 23, 2014 at 5:07 PM

Hello. I would like to reach Tom Cooper. Tom, kindly please reply to keith.harmon.snow@gmail.com.
Thank you.