The unit was formed from troops of Khorasan province in 1982 during the Iran-Iraq war before the preliminary moves of Operation Dawn. Its first commander was Hassan Bagheri Afshardi. Hassan Bagheri was in charge of the division for only 10 days before being killed in action. At the start of 1983, under the command of Morteza Ghorbani, the division took part in the capture of Mehran during Operation Dawn-3. The division went on to take part in Operations Badr, Memak, Dawn-8, Karbala 4 and Karbala 5. Commanders during this time included Esmail Qaani and Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.