A Memory of an Army Aviation Pilot

Selected by: Faezeh Sassanikha
Translated by Mandana Karimi

2025-8-19

I was taking a nap in my office when the door opened and a soldier entered the room. I got up from my chair and after arranging my clothes, I prepared to hear the soldier's news. After saluting, he said, "Captain, the commander has business with you." And with this, he paid military respect and left the room.

As the soldier left, I ran a hand through my hair and tidied up my hair and posture; then I put a file under my arm and left the room.

When I entered the commander’s room, I caught sight of the major. He was sitting at the desk with a smile on his face. As I entered, the phone rang and the major began talking as he motioned for me to sit down.

I was surprised that the major had summoned me. Something important must have happened, otherwise...

I was thinking when the Major's voice brought me back to myself:

- Well, it looks like you slept well!

I sat up straight and politely and said, "I didn't sleep, but I took a short nap."

The Major said in a kind tone, "What time is it?"

I looked at my watch. It was three in the afternoon and apparently all the base personnel had left. I was surprised that I had been asleep until this hour. I glanced at the Major with embarrassment and was about to make an excuse when he said in a sympathetic tone, "I know you've been busy since morning. You needed a nap. Now you're going to take a helicopter and go to the front area, refreshed and ready. The comrades need a vehicle."

I asked in disbelief, "Major, isn't the war over yet?"

The Major shook his head sadly and said, “No, Mr. Reza! Despite our acceptance of the resolution, Iraq has launched a heavy attack on several fronts and has even entered our territory in some places.”

After a short pause, the Major continued, “That is why more help is needed in the region. You should go to Ilam and take action with the comrades in the Salehabad region.”

I had nothing to say. After paying my respects, I left the commander’s office, still stunned by the news, and returned to my office.

When I entered the room, the first thing I did was call “Ali,” one of the pilots at the base, and tell him to come to the base.

Ali arrived at the base much earlier than I had thought. He, too, was surprised by this untimely summons and asked me for an explanation. Inevitably, as we walked towards one of the helicopters, I explained the incident to him in a sentence or two.

After pressing the starter button, the helicopter engine started and a few minutes later we were flying high in the sky. During the flight, all I could think about was the cowardice of the Baathists. The more I thought about this, the more my anger and hatred grew. At one point, as I gritted my teeth, I looked at the helicopter’s rocket launcher and muttered, “Today I have to finish off these cowards. God willing, they will do the right thing.”

Ali, who was sitting in front and fiddling with the radio, said, “Who are you talking to, Reza? Are you crazy?”

I said, “I was thinking about these damned people. Even though we have accepted the resolution, these dirty Baathists are not giving up. I want to destroy their lives this time.”

A few birds flew past the helicopter at high speed, and I ignored them and was thinking about attacking the Iraqi positions. I looked down and saw the villagers busy with their work and activities, and the children had stopped playing and were waving at us. All these sights made me more determined to intensify my action against the Baathists.

In that clear and transparent sky, only the monotonous sound of the helicopter blades disturbed its peace. Ali was silently lost in his own thoughts.

We were slowly approaching the operational area. With the coordination that had been made in advance, several of the Army Aviation helicopters were also supposed to participate in this operation.

The area was engulfed in fire and smoke. At the same time as us, the Basij, army, and IRGC guys had also taken action and were pouring their anger and rage on the Baathists.

In the first dive we made on the Iraqi positions, several of their tanks and personnel carriers were destroyed, and in the following attacks, we set the area on fire like hell for them.

The Baathist anti-aircraft shells were passing by the helicopters from all sides. However, I was flying and pouring fire on the Iraqi forces.

The Iraqi forces, who had lost their limbs from the helicopters’ surprise and fearless attack, were grounded in the very first minutes, and this was an opportunity for the guys to capture them in groups.

The operation in the front area turned out as I had hoped, and we returned to the base safely after the operation ended.

At night, we talked about the conquests and operations carried out with the comrades. We were all satisfied with the results of the operation.

The next day, a new mission was announced by the commander and I was supposed to return a helicopter that was unable to carry out combat missions to Bakhtaran (Kermanshah) due to a technical defect. On this account, once again, together with Ali, we boarded the faulty helicopter and flew towards Bakhtaran (Kermanshah). On the way, I again saw the villagers working and the children who were playing. I wanted to stick my head out of the helicopter and shout: “Rest assured, the air eagles stopped the Baathist mercenaries today and taught them a lesson that they will never forget.”

Upon reaching the base, I went to the commander’s office and he, who was satisfied with the results of the work, allowed us to go home and rest. I said goodbye to Ali and headed home.[1]