Air Raid to Al-Waleed (31)‎

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

2016-8-8

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

 Coming back to Home and warm welcoming

Interestingly, despite enemy had endured a heavy blow and had been aware of the existence of phantoms, well-designed operation especially the shrewdness of those involved in replacing the rout from the margin of western Iraq border to the inside of western neighbor, and more importantly helping of God, makes them to traverse the going rout again and come back Home safety with more trust. Bombing the Kirkuk refinery, of course, and harassing flight of two F-5 aircrafts which was coincide with approaching the modern Tomcat fighter to the border, while Iraqi fighters had flown for finding and tracking insider aircrafts, also contributed to the incident. One or two of the interviewees said: "returning home, we saw beautiful scenes on the border of Iraq and Turkey which hadn’t seen before operation, and it was because of comfort and our peace of mind. On the other hand, the going rout seemed longer than returning one. As if we didn’t reached whatever we went, but in return, we suddenly realized that we are above the Lake Uremia."

At the appointed time, two 707 tankers flew toward the Lake Uremia region to fill the empty fuel tanks of Phantoms, which were returning from mission, and were ready to welcome the heroes at the holding period. During this time, the F-14 air cover aircrafts also refueled from its own fuel tankers and provided the protection of region sky carefully and watchfully. Both Phantoms which separated from the refueling tanker continued the rout toward Hamedan safety and their pilots were satisfied with successful mission.

Around 2:00 Pm, aircrafts returned to Nojeh base one after the other. Manouchehr Ravadgar says:

"At the beginning of operations we were the last flight, but we were the first one landed on the base when we returning to the country. Because of having technical problem we had to remove the extra tank on the wing, and without fourth refueling, kept flying directly toward the base with less gasoline."

After entering the insider border and under the cover of F-5 and F-14 fighters, pilots had no longer the problem of radio talking. Therefore, they called the leader pilot and the radar of Tabriz region to find tankers. Refueling aircrafts awaited them above the Lake Uremia, and as soon as Phantoms reached, they delivered fuel to them like a kind mother who feed her child.

Now, Lieutenant Afrooz, fighter controller officer of radar could say the issue with peace mind to his colleagues who were following discovering the story from early morning. All of them shouted Allah Akbar joyfully and tears of joy rolled down their cheeks. He says:

"Thankfully, all plans went ahead in accordance with brief and expectations ended up to good results. First three F-5 arrived and then Phantoms were appeared on the radar screen. They were approaching to refueling location. At the same time, we observed some moves in the northern space of Iraq. Now, radio talking is possible. Immediately, two F-5 fighters headed heroically toward enemy fighters by my request. I ordered to a phantom which did air cover near the southwest of Sahand Mountain, and to the F-14 aircraft, which took care of situation a little farther, to close to the border so that safety air cover was created for Phantoms and also the Iraqi fighters should be aware of our presence. Simultaneously, I sent off information to the center every moment. Four hours of waiting was breathtaking, but ended. Seeing our fighters, Iraqi aircrafts withdrew."

Colonel Khadem-al-ulama breathed a sigh of relief and asked the staff of radar command post to communicate with central command post. In this way, the authorities of headquarters and Hamedan base were quickly informed of flight team’s safety.  

A large number of technical staff of Nojeh base, who were very concerned about the prolongation of their heroes flying and each one explained the matter with a hunch, were informed that their colleagues will return to the hangars very soon, after aircrafts reached to tankers. Guided by the relevant authorities of base, substantial numbers of staff headed to the parking place of aircrafts and looked forward their arrival eagerly. A few sheep had been readied for sacrificing. Finally the roar of bombers, which was more stirring than the best instruments when was heard after a mission, was heard by the group of enthusiasts.

Bombers are landing safety on its base.

One after another, Phantoms passed the period of traffic and landed. At the end of runway, where the first checks of post-landing are done, happy staff of flight line who were close to the tears of joy was seen. They were the first people who welcomed the triumphal entrance of their fellow pilots. The pin of landing gears was placed and other routine work was done and pilots taxied toward the concrete hangars. There was a large unprecedented crowd waited at the entrance of hangars and as soon as aircrafts were switched off and pilots got off, sheep were sacrificed in front of their feet. Each pilot was welcomed in the circle of several ones. Hundreds times their head and face were kissed that day, and an honor was given to the Hamedan Nojeh base, its memory always will remain in minds and be narrated orally.

Those who had their wits more about them realized that one of Phantoms hasn’t returned and quickly sought its condition out. In interviews with my colleagues, many of them said that they don’t know why, but from the very first moments, when all found out that one of bombers hasn’t returned, they conjectured that it must be the bomber of Mahmoud Khazraei!" A guess its reality established very soon.

Amir Baratpour defines the scene of welcome as follow:

"When we came back to the base from mission at afternoon, and parked the aircrafts, we all were welcomed by a number of staffs from different parts. All the faces were happy and delighted. They had gathered before noon Adhan and now they had surrounded us. Each one expressed a kind of his thanks. I never forget this scene. All were eager to hear first-hand news and wanted to know what happened to us, where we were in this five hours, and which targets have been bombed by us. The more we say, they became happier and were more excited."

To be continued…