In 1973 the 17th Fighter Sqn was in the middle of the re-qualifications to the MiG-21MF, when the unit was rushed to Syria with eleven of these fighters. The '681' survived that war against the Israelis, as well as clashes with Kurds and Iranians during the 1970s, and was seen for the last time on 25 September 1980, while at al-Hurriyah AB, near Kirkuk.