Jets of Iranian Army, IRGC Readying for Sunday Aerial Parade over Persian Gulf

Various combat, tactical, reconnaissance, transport, and tanker aircraft of the IRIAF and the IRGC were present at the Friday morning drills.

The exercises, held for the second day, were aimed at increasing the preparedness of the military units for the massive drills due to be held on Sunday on the anniversary of Sacred Defense Week, which marks the beginning of the eight-year war imposed by former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein on Iran in 1980.

On Thursday, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army's Air Force Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi said, "The third joint aerial parades of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army and the IRGC will be held on September 22 on the occasion of the Sacred Defense Week and hosted by martyr Abdolkarimi air defense base in Bandar Abbas (Southern Iran)."

He added that different heavy bomber fighters, light cargo planes, helicopters and patrolling and reconnaissance aircraft of the Air Force, the Navy and the IRGC Aerospace Force will participate in the parade.

General Vahedi said that the parades will send a message of peace and friendship to the friendly and neighboring states.

He underlined the necessity for the establishment of security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz by the regional states, and said, "The presence of foreigners in the region will inflict unrepairable damage on the security structure of this international waterway."

The parades mark the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s.

Different units of Iran's military forces will participate in the parades in a show of military might and defensive power.

The ceremony will be participated by senior military and government officials.

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