Air Raid to Al-Waleed (38)‎

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

I was born in 1955 in Kermanshah. I finished my primary and secondary education in Tehran, except for the fifth grade which I finished it at the Khosravi border, and in 1974, I entered the Pilot School of Air Force. In 1978, I completed pilot course In America and as a pilot of F-5 fighters began serving. I participated actively in the activities of overthrowing the monarchy before the revolution, and in collaboration with other colleagues I carried out various missions until the end of crises and imposed war.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (37)‎

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

With contribution of pilot Mohammad Hossein Nikpour and cinema agents, a movie was ‎made of the operations. During making it, Captain Pilot Mohammad Reza Khaleghi did ‎coordination on the scene and advised the cameramen group about necessary things. ‎According to the time of making and the political issues of that period, and given the ‎matter it was made for the public, this movie was assessed as a fairly good film of its kind ‎in displaying the Air Force in the Sacred Defense. ‎

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (36)‎

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

"Azarfar and I served at Mehrabad base, and due to the shortage of pilots on the Nojeh base, we were in Hamedan about a month. I remember that they sent us to Hameadan with a modern jet Falcon aircraft after kissing the Holy Quran along with colleagues: Toosi, Reevandi, Ashkan, Ravadgar, Javanmardi and another person. Azarfar and I decided to go back home very soon, when the mission was completed successfully with the grace of God and we landed safety on the ground.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (35)‎

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

The result of air raiding to the three bases of northern, eastern, and southern al-Waleed was destruction of more than 48 different types of aircrafts such as, Tu-22, Tu-16, MiG-23, Su-20 and other types of aircrafts and key equipment, plus several types of helicopters and some radar systems which had been deployed to Al-Waleed to avoid air strikes. The incident became the major news of media very soon and was considered at the farthest region around the world. The most important aspect of it was the state of traversing such a long route, given the available equipment and the heavy conditions of the time.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (34)‎

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

"I turned on the radar a moment near the meeting point of borders of three countries, Syria, Iraq and Turkey toward the East to see what is happening. Much to my surprise, I saw the situation is unusual and in the short distance there are several aircraft ahead of us. Immediately I said Mahmoud: "We've become known, quickly turn left and to return." He obeyed, and a blow shook the aircraft violently while turning. Also we heard a loud noise.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (33)‎

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

About four months technicians worked hard on damaged parts of aircraft, including fuselage, hydraulic system, and so on until this expensive flying was prepared. On 8th of August in the same year, two Hercules delivered the engine, related jack (stand) and other supplies to repairers, because the engine of aircraft was also damaged, and returned to Tehran two days later. The first pilot of aircraft which carried the engine was Capt.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (32)‎

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

"We heard that the pilots we were concerned about them from morning, have returned safety, while we had just landed after air cover of region. For this reason, we quickly headed to the hangar in front of which a group of our colleagues had gathered, and we kissed the face of these heroes when we found out what a great event has occurred. At the same time, hearing the story of Khazraei, we thought that it is concocted and he and his co-pilot have martyred very likely. Because such things wasn’t unusual! "

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (31)‎

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

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.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (30)‎

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

"Our team included two aircrafts and should be targeted southern base. An arid desert, sunny weather and low altitude had made us to be much careful, lest we suffered flight confusion (vertigo) and crashed. We left the main team as got closer to the target and headed to the target base. Further away, on that desert and near the base, a blue dome attracted me. ...

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (29)‎

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

It was supposed to bomb with Skip technique. Probably we were several feet lower than the calculated height, so a few shrapnel hit our aircraft. Maybe this situation was caused by enemy anti-aircraft bullets. Anyway, we lost part of engine power, hydraulic power, and our utility system. While the rest were refueling for the third time and leaving the region, we hardly approached to tankers, but the conditions didn’t allow us to refuel.
...
37
...
 
Book Review

Kak-e Khak

The book “Kak-e Khak” is the narration of Mohammad Reza Ahmadi (Haj Habib), a commander in Kurdistan fronts. It has been published by Sarv-e Sorkh Publications in 500 copies in spring of 1400 (2022) and in 574 pages. Fatemeh Ghanbari has edited the book and the interview was conducted with the cooperation of Hossein Zahmatkesh.

Is oral history the words of people who have not been seen?

Some are of the view that oral history is useful because it is the words of people who have not been seen. It is meant by people who have not been seen, those who have not had any title or position. If we look at oral history from this point of view, it will be objected why the oral memories of famous people such as revolutionary leaders or war commanders are compiled.

Daily Notes of a Mother

Memories of Ashraf-al Sadat Sistani
They bring Javad's body in front of the house. His mother comes forward and says to lay him down and recite Ziarat Warith. His uncle recites Ziarat and then tells take him to the mosque which is in the middle of the street and pray the funeral prayer (Ṣalāt al-Janāzah) so that those who do not know what the funeral prayer is to learn it.

A Critique on Oral history of War Commanders

“Answering Historical Questions and Ambiguities Instead of Individual-Organizational Identification”
“Oral history of Commanders” is reviewed with the assumption that in the field of war historiography, applying this method is narrated in an advancing “new” way, with the aim of war historiography, emphasizing role of commanders in creation of its situations and details.