Iran employed the Tomcat effectively in the Iran-Iraq War, validating much of the aircraft's air-superiority design. US crews also used it for imagery missions over the Bekaa Valley despite concerns that such a large fighter was vulnerable over land. Their solution was a high-speed, medium-altitude profile: high enough to avoid much gunfire, but not so high that radar gave surface-to-air systems maximum warning and engagement time. The same relationship between distance, time, and force applies to reconnaissance route planning as well as fleet interception.
Chapter · 36:21-39:32
Iranian combat success and reconnaissance over the Bekaa Valley
Iranian air-superiority success and US reconnaissance missions over Lebanon demonstrate how speed and medium altitude could reduce exposure to layered ground defences.