Editing Bell 407 (section)

==Operational history==
Bell made delivery of the first production 407 at Heli-Expo, in Dallas, Texas in February 1996. Launch customers for the aircraft were [[Petroleum Helicopters International]] (PHI), Niagara Helicopters, and Greenland Air.<ref name=Bell_407_JAWA/><ref>[http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/commercial/bell407_extras.cfm "History of the Bell Helicopter 407"] Bell Helicopter. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100922194027/http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/aircraft/commercial/bell407_extras.cfm |date=September 22, 2010}}.</ref>

On 23 May 2007, Colin Bodill and Jennifer Murray completed a record pole-to-pole around the world flight using a standard Bell 407. The flight originated from Bell's facility at the [[Fort Worth Alliance Airport]] on December 5, 2006. The team flew about {{convert|36000|mi|km|sigfig=2}} over 189 days and 300 flight hours, through 34 countries. The project, named ''Polar First'', was performed in partnership with the [[Royal Geographical Society]] to provide educational outreach to 28 international schools, which were visited during the trip. The project also served as a fundraiser for the [[SOS Children's Villages]].<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Polar First Sets World Record |magazine=Rotorbreeze |date=July 2007}}</ref>

In 2009 the [[Iraqi Air Force]] ordered three Bell 407 armed scout helicopters (similar to the canceled ARH-70).<ref name=Iraq_Air_Int>"Bell 407s Ordered for Iraq". ''[[Air International]]'', April 2009, Vol 76, No. 4. p. 7.</ref> A contract for 24 additional Bell 407s with an option for 26 more was awarded in April of that same year.<ref>[http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/company/pressReleases/PR_09_0428_407s_toIraq.cfm "Bell Helicopter Sells 24 Model 407 Helicopters Destined for Iraqi Air Force"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508143301/http://www.bellhelicopter.com/en/company/pressReleases/PR_09_0428_407s_toIraq.cfm |date=May 8, 2009 }}. Bell Helicopter, April 29, 2009.</ref> The U.S. Army is managing modifications and installation of military equipment on the helicopters.<ref>"Huntsville Times", pp. A1, A10. November 29, 2009. [http://blog.al.com/breaking/2009/11/army_helping_iraq_buy_helicopt.html online version].</ref>  Three training T-407s were delivered to the [[Iraqi Army]] in 2010.  Armed IA-407s were delivered in eight batches of three aircraft from August 2012 to April 2013.  The final Bell 407 for Iraq was delivered on 3 April 2013.<ref>[https://www.army.mil/article/103569/ Army makes final delivery of IA-407s to the Iraqis] - Army.mil, 21 May 2013</ref> There are 30 in service; 24 armed scouts, three gunships, and three trainers.<ref>[http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htproc/20130129.aspx "More For The Iraq Army Air Corps"]. Strategypage.com, January 29, 2013.</ref>

Iraq is using the IA-407 in operations against [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] militants.  On October 8, 2014, militants shot down an IA-407 using a [[MANPADS|shoulder-fired ground-to-air missile]], killing the pilot and co-pilot.<ref>[http://www.armytimes.com/article/20141008/NEWS08/310080035/IS-downs-another-Iraqi-helicopter "IS downs another Iraqi helicopter"]. Armytimes.com, 8 October 2014</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/09/world/middleeast/isis-iraq-violence.html|title=ISIS Militants Shoot Down Iraqi Helicopter, Killing 2|work=The New York Times |date=October 8, 2014 |last1=Semple |first1=Kirk |last2=Al-Jawoshy |first2=Omar }}</ref>

In December 2017, more than 1,400 were operating.<ref name=AIN13dec2017>{{cite news |url= https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2017-12-13/bell-canada-delivers-5000th-civil-helicopter |title= Bell Canada Delivers 5,000th Civil Helicopter |author= Mark Huber |date= December 13, 2017 |work= AIN}}</ref>