A USAF RC-135V/W Rivet Joint disconnects from a USAF KC-10 Extender after receiving fuel near Iraq on Dec. 5, 2016. (U.S. Army photo)
On January 13, an RC-135W Rivet Joint reconnaissance aircraft of the United States Air Force (USAF) was spotted by aviation observers while conducting an unusual mission over Iraq.
The aircraft, which took off from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, flew over Iraq’s Kurdistan region, near the border with Iran, then along the border line with Syria. After completing its mission, the aircraft returned to its base.
USAF RC-135 Rivet Joint HUNTR55 heading back to Al-Udeid Air Base after sweeping Iraqi western border. pic.twitter.com/zpVP42sQeA
— Mehdi H. (@mhmiranusa) January 13, 2023
The RC-135W is the standard airborne SIGINT [Signal Intelligence] platform for the USAF. It was developed by a number of companies, including General Dynamics, Lockheed, LTV, E-Systems and L3 Technologies. The aircraft’s sensor suite allows the mission crew to detect, identify and geolocate signals throughout the electromagnetic spectrum.
USAF RC-135W aircraft are rarely spotted over Iraq. The last documented reconnaissance mission by the aircraft over the country was on December 4 of last year. Back then, the border with Syria were also the main target of the mission.
While the U.S. claims that its operations in Iraq are focused on defeating ISIS, the RC-135W was not likely searching for the terrorist group’s remnants. The aircraft was most likely spying on Syrian and Iraq armed factions affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Washington continues to use Iraq as a base to counter Iran’s influence in the Middle East, despite the objection of many in the country.
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