Great Prophet 8 Maneuvers (2)

Target drone prepared for AAA practice

Target drone launch from light truck

Target drone retrieval

IRGC T-72 and BMP variant armored fighting vehicles

BMP AAA variant firing exposed 2A14 23 mm autocannon

Prepared subterranean cover for AFVs

An IRGC T-72 at the opening of prepared subterranean cover

IRGC-AF Bell AH-1J International Cobras in action

"Fire For Effect"

Videos:

Photos: 

Mahdi Marizad at FARS News Agency

Majid Asgaripour at MEHR News Agency

Great Prophet 8 Maneuvers (1)

Basij forces rally in Razavi Khorasan Province, Iran

By Mark Pyruz

Basij forces in the field, appearing much like they did during Holy Defense (1980-1988)

Baij field uniform varieties, in copies of MARPAT woodland pattern and older U.S. woodland.
Note improperly handled assault rifle.

Basij "Jerusalem" rapid response unit, made relevant for Iran 

by externally supported internal conflicts in Libya and Syria

Basij gunner equipped with PKM variant

Form up of Basij "Jerusalem" rapid response platoon

Basij political standard bearer in the field (!)

Basij "Jerusalem" rapid response squad disembarking from transport truck

Again, Basij forces appear very much like they did in the last war with the exception of camo style BDUs.

Basij truck transports, note the non-standardization

An IRGC/Basij captain leads his men, in manners reminiscent of the Imposed War

Basij special unit demonstration in the field

Fajr-5 rocket artillery launcher

Fajr-5 333 mm tubes in elevated position

Foreground: HM 20 variant rocket launchers

Properly handed AK type assault rifles of the Basij special unit

Improperly stowed gaggle of what appear to be recently produced AKs.

Chemical defense unit participating in drill

Iranian chemical defense suits in U.S. style 3-color desert camo pattern

RPG variant carried by either IRGC or Basij unit

Close-up of Iranian RPG variant

Basij al-Zahra unit comprised of women

Basij Ashura unit reviewed by IRGC/Basij commanders

Ashura unit equipped with anti-riot gear and motorcycles, in the field (!)

Video

IRGC Captures A Spy Drone - Fars

Forced Landing Near Great Prophet 8 Exercises

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency has reported that IRGC forces have force-landed a foreign spy drone inside Iran. The drone was reportedly observing the IRGC ground forces maneuvers, code named Great Prophet 8, underway near the southern city of Sirjan. The type and nationality of the captured drone have not been announced.

IRGC Brig. Gen. Hamid Sarkheili, the spokesman for Great Prophet 8 exercises, told reporters that IRGC air defense units had detected signals indicating that foreign drones intended to enter the country’s airspace, and one of them was captured near the area of the exercises. Gen. Sarkheili added that the landing of the drone has been captured on film and will be shown publicly if the military commanders so choose. (Fars News Agency, 23 February)

Earlier, Mehr, another semi-official news agency, had reported that IRGC forces observed a foreign drone near the area of the maneuvers but it did not say the drone was captured.

File photo: File photo of a drone (Mehr News Agency)  

IRGC Holds Military Exercises - 'Great Prophet 8'

The IRGC ground forces have begun military exercises around the southern Iranian city of Sirjan, the state TV reported today. The maneuvers, codenamed 'Great Prophet 8,' are aimed at upgrading the combat readiness of the force. (IRIB, 23 February)

Photo credit: IRGC ground forces maneuvers near Sirjan. 23 February 2013. (Mehr News Agency)