Sacred Defense Week - IRIAF exhibit at Mehrabad Airport

Iran media imagery of the Sacred Defense Week exhibition held by Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) at Mehrabad International Airport, commemorating the onset of the Iran-Iraq War that took place 35 years ago.

Collection of IRIAF aircraft assembled for exhibition during Sacred Defense Week 2015

Newly unveiled Mohajem 92 ("Attacker 92") unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Claimed specifications include 6-hour flight endurance, 200 kph speed at the sea level, a weight of 80 kilograms and operating radius of 100 km. [source: Tasnim News Agency]

Displayed aircraft, in order:
- IRIAF Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer tandem-seat training aircraft
- IRIAF Bell 214C Isfahan medium-lift helicopter
- IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219) heavy-lift helicopter
- IRIAF Fokker F-27-400M Troopship transport aircraft
- IRIAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382) transport aircraft

Far left: IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ, serial 3-6202

Detail of IRIAF Dassault Mirage F1EQ, serial 3-6202

Photo: Mehrad Watson

Foreground: IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat, serial 3-6030 / 160328 (H-30) from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Detail of IRIAF Grumman F-14A Tomcat, serial 3-6030 / 160328 (H-30)

Photo: Mehrad Watson

Foreground: IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter bomber of 91st TFS from Bandar Abbas/Shahid Abdulkarimimi TFB-9.

Detail of IRIAF McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighter bomber of 91st TFS from Bandar Abbas/Shahid Abdulkarimimi TFB-9.  [photo: Erfan Arabzadeh]

Pair of Owj JT2-2 Tazarve (“Pheasant”) prototype jet training aircraft

IRIAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29 “Fulcrum” of 11th TFS from Tehran/Shahid Lashkari TFB-1

IRIAF Chengdu FT-7N Airguard, serial 3-7723 of 85th TFS from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Detail of IRIAF Chengdu FT-7N Airguard, serial 3-7723 of 85th TFS from Isfahan/Shahid Babaei TFB-8

Photo: Erfan Arabzadeh

Foreground, left: IRIAF Northrop F-5F Tiger II, serial 3-7167 / 50694 (cn Z1014) of 21st TFS from Tabriz/Shahid Fakoori TFB-2.
Background, right: IRIAF Northrop (HESA) F-5F Saeghe II ("Thunderbolt II"), serial 3-7182 of 23rd TFS from Tabriz/Shahid Fakoori TFB-2.

Detail of IRIAF Northrop F-5F Tiger II, serial 3-7167 / 50694 (cn Z1014)

Photo: Mehrad Watson

IRIAF Boeing 747-131(SF) from Transport Wing at Tehran/Mehrabad

IRIAF Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinook (219), serial 5-9307

IRIAF Lockheed C-130H Hercules (L-382), possible serial 5-8501 (cn 382-4115) of 11th TAS from Transport Wing at Tehran/Mehrabad.

Saha Air Boeing 707-3J9C, reg. EP-SHV (cn 21125/912)

Note: vintage aircraft currently used for cabin crew training at Saha Air training center

IRIAF Lockheed L-1329 JetStar 8, serial 5-9001

Photo: Mehrad Watson

IRIAF display of air-launched weapons (1)

IRIAF display of air-launched weapons (2)

General Electric J79 axial-flow turbojet engine from F-4 Phantom II aircraft

IRIAF display of air crew flight gear

Left to right:
- Unidentified IRIAF major, TFB-1 base security
- Unidentified cleric
- IRIAF colonel, F-5 Tiger II pilot "Agressor Squadron" flight instructor
- IRIAF Deputy Commander Brigadier General Alireza Barkhour
- IRIAF Brigadier General 2C Mohammed Tasviyehchi, commander of TFB-1
- Unidentified IRIAF Brigadier General 2C

Photos: F. Samadi at Islamic Republic News Agency, Mehrad Watson and Erfan Arabzadeh

Zarif and Salehi return to Iran aboard IRIG Airbus A321

Above: Returning nuclear negotiators Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and Mohammad Javad Zarif, foreign minister of Islamic Republic of Iran, upon landing at Mehrabad International Airport (THR) at 07:50 hrs on 15JUL15.

The aircraft departed Vienna the preceding day, scheduled to fly straight to THR, however the diplomatic team and accompanying press members appear to have flown on to Mashhad for pilgrimage to the holy shrine of Imam Reza. In the morning, the aircraft brought them to THR.

Aircraft is IRIG Airbus A321-231, reg. EP-AGB (cn 1202). It is a 15.3 year old aircraft that Iran's government obtained in 2005. This same aircraft last week transported President Rouhani to the BRICS, SCO, EEU Summit at Ufa, Russia.

The recently signed Iran nuclear agreement provides American civil aircraft manufacturers the ability to sell aircraft to Iranian passenger airlines. Specifically, it is hoped Boeing will be able to take advantage of this agreement, making profitable sales of 747-8 and 787 aircraft and in so doing providing jobs to American workers.

Imagery of U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Air A346, reg. EP-MMG

New amateur imagery posted this week at MyAviation.ir of U.S.-sanctioned Mahan Mahan Air Airbus A340-642, reg. EP-MMG (cn 383) at Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR). First open-source photo available of aircraft in Mahan Air livery:

Undated photograph by Majid Khodaei depicts aircraft situated near Pars Aviation Service Company MRO facility at THR. In the background are seen IRGC-related Ilyushin Il-76TD "Candid" strategic airlifters and Antonov An-74TK-200 "Coaler" transport aircraft. Ilyushin at far left with green vertical stabilizer retains Yas Air paint scheme; airline sanctioned for similar reasons as EP-MMG.

EP-MMG obtained with Iraqi assistance; ferried 08May15 from Baghdad International Airport (BGW) to Tehran - Mehrabad International Airport (THR).

U.S. Treasury department on 21MAY15 stated  Mahan Air had a "blockable interest" in this plane, meaning it could be subject to an asset freeze, raising the possibility that Washington may attempt to have it seized at airports outside Iran. Iran's aviation authority stated on 08JUN15 the country would take legal action if Washington tries to stop newly acquired Iranian passenger planes flying international routes.

Should this follow the example of EP-MMH and EP-MMR, aircraft expected to commence flying international routes from Tehran - Imam Khomeini Airport (IKA).

Newly acquired A346 aircraft in Mahan Air livery

Airbus A340-642 aircraft acquired by Mahan Air on 08MAY15 now seen painted with Mahan Air livery:

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 391 now registered EP-MMH. Aircraft photographed in front of Fars Co. MRO facility at THR on 22MAY15 by Majid Khodaei.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 416 now registered EP-MMR. Aircraft photographed at IKA on or about 17MAY15.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 449 now registered EP-MMI. Aircraft photographed by Majid Tavakoli on or about 19MAY15.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft now registered EP-MMQ. Aircraft photographed by Majid B. Bajelan on or about 19MAY15.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 391 now registered EP-MMH. Interior photograph by Nariman Minusepehr on or about 19MAY15.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 383 now registered EP-MMG. Interior photograph taken on or about 23MAY15.

Mahan Air Airbus A340-642 aircraft, cn 383 now registered EP-MMG. Interior photograph taken on or about 23MAY15.

New livery for Iran Aseman Boeing 727 airliner

Above: Iran Aseman Airlines Boeing 727-228/Adv, reg. EP-ASD (cn 22085/1665)

This aircraft photographed by S.M.J.Tabib on 03MAR15 at Tehran - Mehrabad International (THR / OIII), displaying updated Iran Aseman Airlines livery.

Aircraft originally constructed in 1980 and operated by Air France, reg. F-GCDE.

Iran Aseman Airlines currently operates four Boeing 727-200 series passenger jets.

Another aviation observer has pointed out this aircraft's Pratt & Whitney JT8D engines are not fitted with hush kits; likely unavailable to Iranian carriers due to sanctions.

Remains of slain diplomat return to Iran

 

Remains of Iranian diplomat Ali Asghar Asadi flown from Yemen back to Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran aboard Iran Air Airbus A320-211, reg: EP-IEG (cn 2054).

IRGC pall-bearer detail hoisting flag-draped coffin of Ali Asghar Asadi

Photos: Esmaeil Askari at FARS News Agency

PM Lavrov's aircraft in Tehran

 

Operator: Russia State Transport Company 

Aircraft: Tupolev Tu-204-300
Reg: RA-64057 (cn 1450744164057)  

Date: December 10, 2013
Location: Mehrabad International Airport (THR / OIII)

Photographer: Sina Shiri at FARS News Agency

Notes: Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov arrives in Tehran for official state visit.

New Iranian airline: Atrak Air

 

Atrak Air Airbus A320-231, reg. EP-TTA (cn 393) at Mehrabad International (THR / OIII) 

[photo: Shahram Sharifi, Airliners.net] 

A new Iranian airline, Atrak Air (Tehran Mehrabad), begins operations with an Airbus A320-231 wet-leased from Ukraine's Khors Aircompany (KO, Kiev Borispol). The aircraft joins another A320-231, 5U-AND (cn 314), wet-leased from Nigerien ACMI outfit, Air Niamey (A7, Niamey), that is currently parked at Mehrabad awaiting its entry into service. [source: ch-aviation]

Both wet-leased aircraft are over twenty years old and reflect a means for Iranian commercial aviation to remain viable while subjected to U.S.-led sanctions.

Iran Air Fokker 100 maintenance at Merhrabad

Iran Air technicians atop wing of Fokker 100 (F-28-0100)  EP-CFM (cn 11394)

Posted 7/26/13 at Iran Air on Facebook

Fokker 100 (F-28-0100) EP-IDA (cn 11292) in front of Iran Air overhaul hangar

Photographed 7/1/13 by Mehrad Watson / Airliner.net

Fokker 100 (F-28-0100) EP-CFL (cn 11343) inside Iran Air's Azadi Hangar

Photographed May 2013 by Mehrad Watson / Airliners.net

Unforgettable Iran Air experience - Video

Sam Chui flies into Iran just to get the chance of return flying aboard the restored and upgraded, classic Iran Air Boeing 747-286BM 'Azarabadegan,' EP-IAG (cn 21217/291).

Interesting travel details for Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports, as well as IranAir flight details from a highly motivated aviation enthusiast