In 1953 twelve de Havilland Vampire FB.52s fighter-bombers and six Vampire T.55 trainers were ordered by Iraq from Britain, these going to N° 5 Squadron at Rashid. A second jet-fighter squadron was formed in 1955 while in 1956 three each of Vampire FB.52s and T.55s were purchased to augment N° 5 Squadron's strength. Vampire T.55 serialled 333 passed through Luqa on 27 November 1964.