Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation
The Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation (IRIAA) (in Persian: هواپیمایی نیروی زمینی جمهوری اسلامی ایران), more commonly known as the Havānīrūz (هوانیروز, Persian pronunciation: [hævɒːniːˈɾuːz]), is the army aviation of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces. It has about 300 helicopters both for attack and transport missions. It has fought in the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, in which the Havanirooz played a crucial role in destroying and defeating the invading Iraqi armies.
| Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation | |
|---|---|
| هوانيروز ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران | |
Official seal of Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation | |
| Active | 1962–1979 (as Imperial Iranian Army Aviation) 1979–present |
| Country | Iran |
| Branch | Islamic Republic of Iran Army Ground Forces |
| Type | Army Aviation |
| Size | 50,000 personnel |
| Nickname(s) | Havanirooz (هوانیروز) |
| Anniversaries | 7 December |
| Engagements | Dhofar war 1979 Kurdish rebellion Iran–Iraq War War on ISIL |
| Flying hours | 800,000 (1979–2011) |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Second Brig. Gen. Yousef Ghorbani (2017–present) |
| Notable commanders | Brig. Gen. Manouchehr Khosrodad (1972–1979) Second Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hossein Jalali |
| Insignia | |
| Flag | |
Along with its primary military role of aviation support for the ground forces, the Army Aviation is also involved in emergency management missions, such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, and forest firefighting.
Havanirooz members have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Army.