Air Raid to Al-Waleed (23)‎

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

2016-6-12

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

It doesn’t take much time when ten Phantom bombers come. Two previous flights to the south of Lake Uremia, familiarity with the specified points of the home country, and most importantly expertise of participant pilots, especially leader and sub-leader, cause that pilots find tankers in radio silence finally. So far the fuel of external tanks on the wings of bomber has run out, and each aircraft in a short time stick to the tanker and its tanks fill up without talking to boom operator. Usually, refueling is done over twenty-two thousand feet altitude, because whatever the height is lower, the effects of turbulence are more and the likelihood of vigorous shaking increases. For this reason, various events may occur; the boom being separated or collided to the fuselage and damage it, is the worst of them especially in such a mission which is supposed ten aircrafts refuel. Think what will happen if such an incident occurs in the first or second refueling. So, refueling at this altitude is one of the important points of this mission. Trained and skilled pilots of tankers accompany Phantoms near the border after one stage of refueling over the lake, and in this rout, deliver fuel to a number, so that they can traverse the long way more comfortable.

Phantom aircraft armed with four air-to-air missiles, and two extra tank of petrol on the wings, in the air cover mission is refueling. The photo has been taken from the cabin of tanker.

About refueling Ahmad Soleimani says:

"As long as the tanker would fly over the Lake, we had no problems; but as soon as we would fly over the land, piloting it in the refueling state was really hard, because the turbulence made swaying. Across the Iraq border, we had the same problem; but thanks to God and the experience and skills of the pilots, we refueled without any incident despite the difficulty."

Shortly after Phantoms say goodbye, two tankers leave the zone. According to retired Capt. Ali Javaheri, one of boomers of tankers, these two aircrafts return to Tehran and land on Mehrabad International Airport.

By the grace of God, bombers all well refuel and no problem happens for them. The one-word code for continuing the operation is communicated by Col. Izadseta to the flight leader from tankers and it is cleared that everything is fine; therefore, two reserve aircrafts must return to the base and the other eight ones continue the mission. Mohammad Atighechee, leader of one of reserves, accompany the team several miles inside the Iraqi border, and in spite of all orders to maintain radio silence, he cannot control himself and finally run the risk and by radio ask the flight leader to allow him to stay with team.

Colonel Mohammad Atighechee and Ibrahim fakhar, pilots of two reserve aircrafts

Amir Baratpour says:

"I would think the reserve aircraft has return, but surprisingly I heard his voice in enemy territory that asked me to allow him to accompany us. I would understand him. He was one of our bold and fearless pilots. He also had participated in the previous flight. He really didn’t like to come back. But we couldn’t take any action unlike the brief, because the amount of risk would increase. Therefore, I made a short, clear and a little sharp command, ‘Come back.’ And he left the group and returned."

In this regard Atighechee says:

"As the last one of my team, I did refueling and immediately went in with the flight team. I entered into Iraq territory behind all and continued several miles to force leader accept my presence. By radio, I announced that I’m also with them and asked him to let me accompany the team, when I saw the situation is fine. Major Baratpour, who was surprised, with a short harsh tone said, ‘Come back!’ and I had no choice but to return to the base. So, completely upset I entrusted my colleagues to God and returned to the base."

Captain fakhar, second reserve, says:

"When the war began, I was still Leader 4[1] and not being allowed to fly for bombing and close supporting in the front cabin. One of the reasons was that we were banned for air refueling. In addition, because of things that had happened, we had few pilots too. Leaders 4 were appointed for piloting in the rear cockpit at the first days of the war, but soon it was learned that when an aircraft would be targeted or meet with accident, two pilots would be lost, that could make problems for base in the future. Therefore, it was decided that to use leaders 3 along with trained officers for rare cabin[2] and leaders 4 only carry out the mission of air cover. At 22^nd Mehr 1359, I refueled in an air cover flight without permission. Although it was hard work, but I was able to do this job well with the experience of watching my colleagues during refueling, and on that day I flew four hours with two refueling. Then I met  Major Baratpour, operations deputy of base, and asked him to permit me to do my four sorties remained from my checks of leader 3, so I could participate in overseas combat missions along with other friends. Finally he approved and I passed necessary training and was appointed in reserve flight of mentioned operation for the first overseas mission, although I really liked to be in attacking group. But fortunately no problem occurred for colleagues and after refueling over Lake Uremia, I returned to base. Captain Atighechee, who was older than me, progressed to the point where he asked the leader to accompany them, despite the requirement of observing radio silence, but the leader refused. My flight lasted two hours and five minutes but it seemed shorter to me, while I had a very long wait for my friends’ returning.