Iraq says it has two Awacs-type airborne command posts, which could detect attacking American planes. But United States officials say the Iraqi airborne command planes are primitive compared to the American and Saudi Awacs, which have powerful radars that can track enemy planes throughout the Persian Gulf and direct planes to attack them. Iraqi pilots have been trying to improve their ability to intercept attacking American planes. And over the weekend a surge of Iraqi training flights was reported. But American officials also say that Iraqi training operations generally involve pilots trying to intercept one or two simulated opponents.
American pilots train for dogfights that involve many aircraft.