A Mission in Omolqasr
(By Pilot General Hossein Nazari)
I used to work with General Yasini on the same base before Iraq invaded our that time, he was extraordinarily skillful in launching Maverick missiles. Because of his skill, he was appointed (though only a captain) our pilot instructor-at the outbreak of the war. On each flight he would take one of the pilots (as the rear cockpit) with him to teach him practically how to launch the missile at the target.
A few days after the outbreak of the war, we were sitting together when Alireza turned to me and asked, "Hossein! What do you wish for?" I answered, "My greatest wish is flying with you."
He said, "I thought you would say buying a house or something else. I answered, "To tell the truth when I fly with you I get a special feeling."
A few days later exactly at 4 in the afternoon of Mehr the third 1359 (September-1980), General Yasini called me and said, "Hossein! There is a mission, would you like to accompany me?" I replied, "This has been my wish." We went to the briefing room together. I was thinking about the nature of the mission. He was briefing the pilots calmly and with no anxiety. This helped the pilots to set off on their mission with high morale and without any apprehensions.
He was explaining the exact details of the mission. He said, "Dear Hossien! This is a single plane mission and our mission is sinking battleships at Omolquasr port. Are you ready?"
Since up to that day I had not been to many war missions and was not well familiar with the area, I kept whatever he said in mind with special care.
After flying for sometime, we reached the area at the altitude of 8 thousand feet. I suddenly realized small patches of clouds had encircled us.
I said, "What beautiful clouds!" He said smiling, "Very beautiful but they are not clouds." Again he laughed and continued, "These are enemy's air defense bullets, which are exploding and producing white smoke."
We were flying over the target and it was within the range of our missiles. We launched tow or three missiles and started maneuvering at low altitude. I was worried we might crash into high voltage cables or the electric pylon of the battleship because we were flying very low. But on the other hand I felt sure because Reza had the control. I was thinking about this when a missile went past our plane. I said, "Reza! They are shelling missiles." He replied calmly. "Don't worry! If my protector is He whom I know, He will keep glass safe close to stone." When we got off the plane, Reza looked at me and asked, "Is there a sign of clouds here? Without saying a word our eyes riveted on each other and we burst into laughter.
I used to work with General Yasini on the same base before Iraq invaded our that time, he was extraordinarily skillful in launching Maverick missiles. Because of his skill, he was appointed (though only a captain) our pilot instructor-at the outbreak of the war. On each flight he would take one of the pilots (as the rear cockpit) with him to teach him practically how to launch the missile at the target.
A few days after the outbreak of the war, we were sitting together when Alireza turned to me and asked, "Hossein! What do you wish for?" I answered, "My greatest wish is flying with you."
He said, "I thought you would say buying a house or something else. I answered, "To tell the truth when I fly with you I get a special feeling."
A few days later exactly at 4 in the afternoon of Mehr the third 1359 (September-1980), General Yasini called me and said, "Hossein! There is a mission, would you like to accompany me?" I replied, "This has been my wish." We went to the briefing room together. I was thinking about the nature of the mission. He was briefing the pilots calmly and with no anxiety. This helped the pilots to set off on their mission with high morale and without any apprehensions.
He was explaining the exact details of the mission. He said, "Dear Hossien! This is a single plane mission and our mission is sinking battleships at Omolquasr port. Are you ready?"
Since up to that day I had not been to many war missions and was not well familiar with the area, I kept whatever he said in mind with special care.
After flying for sometime, we reached the area at the altitude of 8 thousand feet. I suddenly realized small patches of clouds had encircled us.
I said, "What beautiful clouds!" He said smiling, "Very beautiful but they are not clouds." Again he laughed and continued, "These are enemy's air defense bullets, which are exploding and producing white smoke."
We were flying over the target and it was within the range of our missiles. We launched tow or three missiles and started maneuvering at low altitude. I was worried we might crash into high voltage cables or the electric pylon of the battleship because we were flying very low. But on the other hand I felt sure because Reza had the control. I was thinking about this when a missile went past our plane. I said, "Reza! They are shelling missiles." He replied calmly. "Don't worry! If my protector is He whom I know, He will keep glass safe close to stone." When we got off the plane, Reza looked at me and asked, "Is there a sign of clouds here? Without saying a word our eyes riveted on each other and we burst into laughter.
