Air Raid to Al-Waleed (19)‎

The Story of Demolishing Fighters and the Equipment in Al-Waleed Triple Military Bases ‎Known as H-3‎

2016-5-15

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (H-3‎)‎

The Story of Demolishing Fighters and the Equipment in Al-Waleed Triple Military Bases ‎Known as H-3‎

By: Brigadier General Ahmad Mehrnia

Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company

‎2010 (Persian Version)‎

Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

On the leg of G-suit, with a clip, Pilots set sheets on which information about takeoff speed, maximum speed of cancelling the flight in the case of appearing problem during takeoff, day codes, coordinates, and other information are written, to be completely and easily in sight. As there is no problem, they ride minibuses with trust in God and kissing the Koran, and go to different hangars in which ready Phantoms have been parked. Colleagues say goodbye to each other along the way and pray for. Javanmardi, who has a good sense of humor, once in while jokes that causes a cold smile appears on the lips.

 Mohammad Javanmardi, pilot of rear cabin of operations leader (2009)

Pilot Mohammad Reza Gharebaghi, Captain of that time, who had been presented in the base during preparedness for the attack, said:

"For a time we had found out that some important information about flight missions has leaked and imposes irreparable losses on us. In this regard, some colleagues also had been martyred. This time we must be very cautious. So, the mission was communicated to pilots at the last minutes. That day my responsibility was to be present first in the caravan[1] at the beginning of flight, and after takeoff of aircrafts, go to the control tower immediately; and when flights were excluded from the scope of tower responsibility, quickly return to the command post and from there closely monitor the operations to ensure the operations not leak out. I acted according to the same plane. All those who saw me, naturally inquired about the mission and I invited them to wait a little more. I remember one of non-commissioned officers of command post questioned two or three times and when he received an evasive answer, began to protest and said: ‘Now I’ve been an outsider and shouldn’t know what’s going on?’ He complained so much that I had to order him to go out of command post during the flight. It should be noted that the double agent, who gave the information of unit to the enemy, was identified and got what he deserved."

Twenty pilots and co-pilots put on flight gloves and very carefully check the appearance of aircrafts and their ammunition according to checklist. No defect and mechanical failure was seen by skilled and sympathetic employees of maintenance battalion and everything is fine. Pilots climb up metal stairs of aircraft and nestle into tight cabins. Airmen and non-commissioned officers in the line of flight help each of them to ensure all seats connections to pilots have been secured. They pick pins[2] of seats up and separate stairs from the aircraft.

With hand signals of front cabin pilot, left and then right engine has been started respectively. Initial checks are done in the same cabin to ensure the proper functioning of commands and control levels; and eleven Phantoms are traversing one after another on the runway to establish in the beginning of flight runway. Once again, according to instructions, necessary checks are done at the entrance to the runway and mechanics take the pins of ammunition and wheels and arm two 20mm machine-gun of each aircraft; signal OK to pilots, which indicated everything is right and pilots can enter the runway.

Due to half an hour difference between the origin and destination of mission, the establishment of ten aircraft was done in two groups of four aircrafts, named "Alborz" and "Alvand", and one group of two aircrafts, respectively. Brake pedals are pressed under pilots’ foot and the engines state are hundred percent. For the last time, all levels of commands, as well as indicators of fuel, hydraulic, engines, and so on are checked. Hand signals are exchanged between pilots that indicate the readiness and flawless of all aircrafts. Seeing nodding of the leader of each flight group, pilots release the brake and afterburners[3] are turned on.

One after another, ten participant aircrafts in the operations leave the Hamedan base runway toward the target. The roar of engines break the silence of this spring morning and the blue flame of aircrafts’ exhaust warms up an exceptional teamwork in the history of air battles. The reserve aircrafts on the ground, which have no reason for flying, return to the hangar. Pilots of reserve aircrafts must quickly be concealed to avoid relating the situation or how the operations supposed to carry out to anyone. If decision-makers had not thought about the possible risks of refueling these numbers of fighter/bombers at night, probably the operation implement before sunrise, so that the enemy surprise undoubtedly.

As soon as gaining altitude, all try to get into specified position. Brightness of rays of sun on the surfaces of front Phantoms make and eye catching landscape for pilots. However, in the face of Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Momeni, then-deputy of base, who immediately has taken the responsibility of commander’s duties after his flying and not know about the details of operations, the aura of concern can be observed. He can predict a huge operation is ahead, but...

To be continued…