Above the water at very low altitude... In northern Iraq? What water is in northern Iraq? Also he seems too old to have flown a fighter in Iraq. 

Where's the evidence that thus guy is actually a pilot? If I was a con man, I would make sure to mention family, and a daughter is the perfect person to mention for gaining confidence.

Perception is reality, as they say in the Air Force. They say it too much for it not to he suspicious. There's good reason to have people chasing nonsense - an adversary who's world is false is much less dangerous than one who's world is accurate. 

War is the final arbiter. If one side believes nonsense, they die. Or they render their product up to their superior. If our military believed the earth was flat, and was wrong, we would lose. If you believe something false, you are not only at a disadvantage, but you will be easier to rob, or lead into other falsehoods before robbing you.

There are many reasons to disbelieve this guy, and few to none to believe him.