Iran to Stage Massive Air Drills
News number: 890504129519:47 | 2010-07-26Defence
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8905041295

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian Army Air Force plans to stage massive and
countrywide air drills this week, a senior commander announced on Monday.

"The wargames to be held on Mordad 9-16 (July 31-August 7) through
collective cooperation of all Air Force bases are dubbed as 'Fada'eyan-e
Harreem-e Vellayat' (Devotees to the Sanctity of Religious Leadership)," Air
Force Lieutenant Commander for Operations Mohammad Alavi told FNA, adding
that this would be the second air show to be staged under the said title.

The commander announced that 43 fighter jets and warplanes, including F-4,
F-5, F-7 and Sukhoi SU-24 fighter-bombers, will take part in the exercises.

"Air bases in Mehrabad (Tehran), Tabriz, Hamedan, Dezfoul, Bushehr, Bandar
Abbas, Shiraz and Isfahan are among the important Air Force bases that will
take part in the drills," Alavi noted.

The commander also pointed out that all aircraft will test-fire different
air-to-surface ammunitions during the exercises.

Also during these exercises, night bombing operations will be carried out by
F-7 and Sukhoi 24 aircraft for the first time, Alavi continued.

The commander further announced that the Air Force plans to also practice
refueling operations in a bid to exercise long-distance flights by its F-4
and Sukhoi 24 jets.

According to the commander, Unmanned Areal Vehicles (UAVs) will also have a
role in the upcoming Air Force drills.

Alavi further stressed that the drills are aimed at demonstrating the power
of the Iranian Air Force and boosting the combat power of different Air
Force units.

Another Air Force Lieutenant Commander had earlier announced that the
country planned to test a new set of advanced air-to-ground weaponry and
gunnery equipment in upcoming military exercises.

Lieutenant Commander General Mohsen Darrehbaqi said in June that the Iranian
Air Force would display different types of its fighter jets in the air show.