Velayat-4 Air Drills Sign Of Iranian Armed Forces’ Exemplary Might

Birjand, Nov 13, IRNA – Head of Khatam ul-Anbia (P) IRI Military Air Defense Base Ideological-Political Organization said here Monday Huge Velayat-4 Air Drills are sign of Iranian armed forces, including this base’s exemplary might. Speaking with an IRNA Political Desk reporter, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Ali Ansari added Monday night at a gathering of the members of the Propagations and Information Dissemination Headquarters of Velayat-4 Air Drills, “Launching of these air drills at the vast span of 850 thousand square kilometer area, which is about half the total area of Iran, is unique in its kind.” He reiterated, “Defending the airspace of a country in comparison with defending the land borders and the seas, means discovering, navigating, and either destroying, or taking the helm of control of any invading flying object, which is a very great task that today the expert and highly committed Iranian forces at this air defense base have achieved, and put on display in practice, as well.” Hojjatoleslam Ansari added, “In order to launch these air drills, which cover Khorassan-e Razavi, Khorasan-e Somali, Khorasan-e Jojoba, Sistan-o Balouchestan, Kerman, Hormozgan, and some parts of Fars and Yazd provinces, a good amount of harmonizing and intensive interactions have taken place, whose result is seen in these huge air drills.” At the session in the present officials and media representatives the two sides exchanged ideas on the role of the media in assisting the Sky Defender Huge Velayat-4 Air Drills in optimum performance of the war-game, and presenting comprehensive information dissemination on the air drills to the public. A London-based defense analyst Paul Beaver said Monday that Iran’s military should not be underestimated, describing the IRI Air Force as “a pretty impressive organization.” “They are busy out there modifying, adapting, (and) doing things to their technologies. They have made the most of what they have,” he said. Western powers have imposed sanctions on Iran’s oil trade to press Tehran to halt its peaceful nuclear work they baselessly claim is aimed at developing the capability to build nuclear bombs. Iran denies the charge categorically, saying Iran’s atomic activities are purely for peaceful purposes. The United States and the racist Zionist regime have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the dispute. Although the Iranian air drills come just days after the Pentagon’s announcement, the exercises appear to have been planned well in advance. In September Commander of the IRI Air Force, Brigadier General Farzad Esma’ili, said that Iran was planning a large-scale air drill in coming months. Various radar and other fixed, tactical and airborne surveillance systems would participate, Esma’ili told IRNA Thursday. The exercise will also test bombers, refueling planes and unmanned aircraft, Esma’ili said. Iranian media said Monday that F-4, F-5, F-7, and F-14 fighters would take part. Shahram told IRNA the drills would also focus on improving coordination between Iran’s military and the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. On Sunday, Revolutionary Guard Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh said Iran believed the U.S. drone was gathering intelligence on oil tankers off its shores. Mohammad Ali Ja’fari, the Guard’s top commander, said his forces had acted well in repelling the drone. “If such intrusions take place in the future, we will protect our airspace,” Ja’fari said Sunday, according to Press TV. Iranian officials have also threatened to strike the US military bases in the region and target the occupied territories under the hegemony of the racist Zionist regime if the Islamic Republic of Iran is attacked. Iran has carried out a number of military simulations this year, including the “Great Prophet 7” missile exercises in July. /end (Courtesy: The Daily Star of Lebanon for the background )