Sayed, Trust in God
(By Pilot Colonel Sayed Mohammad Taqi Fazeli)
It was 12, Bahman, 1364 (02/02/1986), 12, 00 noon and time for prayers. The people on Omidieh air fore base were thrilled by the sound of prayer call, announced on the loudspeakers. As usual, I attended the mass prayer, held in the prayers room in the squadron.
The Mokabbir summoned people to rise and start the prayer. The solid statures of the war heroes in the first line of the prayers, strong and respectful, influenced everyone, fighter pilots joined the mass- prayer one by one to say their noon and afternoon prayers. Just after the noon prayer, someone entered the prayers room and whispered something to General Ardestani. He cast a glance at the line of the prayers and fixed his eyes on me. I could understand from his meaningful look that he had decided to go on a mission and was trying to choose a fellow- traveler.
As the prayer was over, I went to him and sat beside him. "I hope its good news". I said.
"I do too, get ready to go on a mission", he answered.
"Where?" I asked.
"I'll tell you in the briefing room", he said.
The target of our bombardment was Iraqi troops' positions on the other side of Arvandroud, an area between Khosrowabad and Faw.
Captain Balazedeh and I had asked General Ardestani to appoint us the leaders of the groups many times, but he insisted on our having the second position in a few more missions to get more familiar with the area.
On that day, as usual, General Ardestani was the leader of the flying team, I was in the second position. His being the leader of the team gave me more confidence and self-reliance, depending on his courage and knowledge; we didn't get a thorough plan to do the mission. We were to take the route from the southern part of Imam
Khomeini port and the juncture of the Bahmanshir river and fly towards our targets.
We walked to the shelter and started checking our planes. We entered the cockpit. While the crew members were performing the final checks, one of the crew members stepped up the ladder and gave me a note "Sayed, you are the leader today."
I was shocked by General Ardestani's decision and I had no alternative, because, I myself had asked him many times to appoint me the leader of the team however, it was an unexpected decision.
As I told you, it was unexpected and I was not ready to accept the leadership of the team. I thought that General Ardestani would be theleader of the team, so I didn't pay enough attention to the route and guiding points, on the way. I trusted him a lot and I believed that it was unnecessary to take all affaires into consideration.
Of course, it was a mistake. We should trust in God and follow all rules and instructions at the same time. I had to be dependent upon INS1, and in doubtful situations General Ardestani's looks and nods helped me to follow the correct route, this gave me a lot of self-confidence.
We reached our targets. It was time to release the bombs. The 2000 - pound – central bombs dropped, but the rest, for 750 pound – bombs under the wings were not released. Martyr Ardestani shouted, "Your bombs are not released.
Try again."
I was astounded and felt nervous. I pushed the release button several times. In this critical situation, I didn't know what to do with these unreleased bombs. Landing in this condition was very dangerous and the plane could burst into a mountain of flames. In a state of anxiety and mental agitation, I heard the encouraging voice of
General Ardsetani on the radio,
"Don't worry Sayed pull the t.handle" (I had forgotten the most evident step to follow).
I felt just like someone who had found the most valuable thing he had lost. Filled with joy, I pulled the "T" handle.
The bombs were released and a great burden was removed from my back. What a relief!
Now, I knew what a great responsibility it was to be the leader of a team. We returned to the base safe and sound. In our mission- report, General Ardestani spoke so well, about me and my leadership, and I blushed with shame. He was trying to give me self- confidence. Of course, after the report, he touched on my shoulder and said, "Always trust in god, good luck".
1. Inertial Navigation System
It was 12, Bahman, 1364 (02/02/1986), 12, 00 noon and time for prayers. The people on Omidieh air fore base were thrilled by the sound of prayer call, announced on the loudspeakers. As usual, I attended the mass prayer, held in the prayers room in the squadron.
The Mokabbir summoned people to rise and start the prayer. The solid statures of the war heroes in the first line of the prayers, strong and respectful, influenced everyone, fighter pilots joined the mass- prayer one by one to say their noon and afternoon prayers. Just after the noon prayer, someone entered the prayers room and whispered something to General Ardestani. He cast a glance at the line of the prayers and fixed his eyes on me. I could understand from his meaningful look that he had decided to go on a mission and was trying to choose a fellow- traveler.
As the prayer was over, I went to him and sat beside him. "I hope its good news". I said.
"I do too, get ready to go on a mission", he answered.
"Where?" I asked.
"I'll tell you in the briefing room", he said.
The target of our bombardment was Iraqi troops' positions on the other side of Arvandroud, an area between Khosrowabad and Faw.
Captain Balazedeh and I had asked General Ardestani to appoint us the leaders of the groups many times, but he insisted on our having the second position in a few more missions to get more familiar with the area.
On that day, as usual, General Ardestani was the leader of the flying team, I was in the second position. His being the leader of the team gave me more confidence and self-reliance, depending on his courage and knowledge; we didn't get a thorough plan to do the mission. We were to take the route from the southern part of Imam
Khomeini port and the juncture of the Bahmanshir river and fly towards our targets.
We walked to the shelter and started checking our planes. We entered the cockpit. While the crew members were performing the final checks, one of the crew members stepped up the ladder and gave me a note "Sayed, you are the leader today."
I was shocked by General Ardestani's decision and I had no alternative, because, I myself had asked him many times to appoint me the leader of the team however, it was an unexpected decision.
As I told you, it was unexpected and I was not ready to accept the leadership of the team. I thought that General Ardestani would be theleader of the team, so I didn't pay enough attention to the route and guiding points, on the way. I trusted him a lot and I believed that it was unnecessary to take all affaires into consideration.
Of course, it was a mistake. We should trust in God and follow all rules and instructions at the same time. I had to be dependent upon INS1, and in doubtful situations General Ardestani's looks and nods helped me to follow the correct route, this gave me a lot of self-confidence.
We reached our targets. It was time to release the bombs. The 2000 - pound – central bombs dropped, but the rest, for 750 pound – bombs under the wings were not released. Martyr Ardestani shouted, "Your bombs are not released.
Try again."
I was astounded and felt nervous. I pushed the release button several times. In this critical situation, I didn't know what to do with these unreleased bombs. Landing in this condition was very dangerous and the plane could burst into a mountain of flames. In a state of anxiety and mental agitation, I heard the encouraging voice of
General Ardsetani on the radio,
"Don't worry Sayed pull the t.handle" (I had forgotten the most evident step to follow).
I felt just like someone who had found the most valuable thing he had lost. Filled with joy, I pulled the "T" handle.
The bombs were released and a great burden was removed from my back. What a relief!
Now, I knew what a great responsibility it was to be the leader of a team. We returned to the base safe and sound. In our mission- report, General Ardestani spoke so well, about me and my leadership, and I blushed with shame. He was trying to give me self- confidence. Of course, after the report, he touched on my shoulder and said, "Always trust in god, good luck".
1. Inertial Navigation System
