Air Raid to Al-Waleed (28)‎

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

"In the final position, the navigation device of my aircraft differed with current position about 70 to 80 miles and showed another direction. "Where does INS show, Javanmardi?" jokingly I asked the pilot of rare cabin. With a thick Shirazi accent he said: "Sir! It shows Tel Aviv." I asked: "Do you think what we do?" He immediately said: "Sir! Let’s go to bomb there." And we laughed very much."

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (27)‎

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

"At the appointed hour, we were ready into aircraft and called Major Abdul Alizadeh, first pilot of tanker 707 that was located above Lake Uremia. Conversations were exchanged through HF radio contact with short words and passwords. When we assured of successful refueling and departure of phantoms, asked taking off permit by Izadseta’s order according to the schedule, and seemingly we flew toward Tehran from Damascus airport. ..."

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (26)‎

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

Phantoms were approaching the second refueling area. An unusual anxiety as well as fright had embraced pilots. They either asked themselves or their partner: are tankers ready across the Iraq border? Won’t something come up? Given the length of rout and the error of navigation device, will we find properly the considered point with no radio contact with tanker? What would happen if for any reason the Damascus airport don’t allow them fly or delay?

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (25)‎

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

At the same time Phantoms were fueling, flight brief of a team of three F-5 aircraft, with the reference of ‘Hormuz’, and led by First Lt. Mostafa Ardestani began. It was planned that this team attack the important facilities in the Kirkuk shortly before the bombing of three H-3 bases by Phantom pilots, so the enemy focused on them and the third refueling of Phantoms to be done. After the preliminaries, they were headed to the hangars.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (24)‎

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

The team enters the Iraq territory from far north and through heights continues flying towards target. To make easier and safer flight, the operations carry out in the form of two teams consisted of four aircrafts flying close to each other. In this journey, any carelessness can cause the plan fail. The team flies so close to the Turkish border that it is possible the Air Force of this country will be sensitive to the issue in the case of being reconnoitered by Turkish radars.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (23)‎

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

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.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (22)‎

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

Hearing the sound of the cars’ engines, technicians of flight line and other crews who are present in the hangars notice that the pilots are coming. All run toward them, salute, say good morning, and accompany them to the prepared aircrafts in the hangars.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (21)‎

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

I was notified that should go to a mission along with Mousavi. I did related tasks very quickly and joined him for flight brief. He stressed on the importance of flight and that the absolute radio silence all the time should be observed. Until then, radio silence was not taken account, because Tabriz base was far from enemy’s region and usually it was trying to less talk when entering the enemy’s territory.

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (20)‎

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

Providing safety and security of region and route, two F-5 fighters of Hamadan base immediately fly right behind the Phantoms and along with other F-4 pilots in predetermined location, take the responsibility of space surveillance of West and base protection. By the end of the mission, two additional flights of a team of two aircrafts also do this job. Amir Second Brigadier General Pilot Mohammed Tayyebi, the leader of first flight of F-5 air cover from Hamadan, says:

Air Raid to Al-Waleed (19)‎

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

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.
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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.