Career
He scored 10 air combat kills, making him an ace and the most successful Iraqi fighter pilot of that war. Rayyan, while only a Flight Lieutenant and flying a MiG-21MF, claimed two (later confirmed) 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 (3 verified by western sources) 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.
His 5 air combat victories make Rayyan the most successful MiG-25 fighter pilot ever.
