page_title: Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation
section_title: Imperial Iranian Army Aviation
hierarchical_section_title: Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation / History / Imperial Iranian Army Aviation
context_page_description: Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation, more commonly known as Havānīrūz, ‎ is the army aviation of the Iranian Army. It is the largest and most professional
  army aviation service in the Middle East, possesing no less than 300 helicopters both for attack and transport uses. It is also the most experienced in the region, having fought the brutal Iran-Iraq War in the 80s, in which the Havanirooz played a crucial role in destroying and defeating the invading iraqi armies.
  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.
context_section_description: The core of the force was established in 1962 as the Imperial Iranian Army Aviation (IIAA) during the Pahlavi era as part of the Imperial Iranian Army with 6 Cessna 180 (U-17) aircraft and 6 pilots based in Isfahan. Meanwhile, officers were sent to the United States to be trained. The number of aircraft was 30 by 1966. In that year, 17 Kaman HH-43B Huskie helicopters were purchased from the United States. Iran also received 12 Cessna O-2As (which still can fly but are out of service). In 1971, the unit was expanded from an Aviation Battalion into an Aviation Regiment, with the purchase of Agusta-Bell 205A Iroquois and Agusta-Bell 206 JetRanger helicopters from Italy. Officers being sent to Italy for the related flight and technical courses. The Cessnas were phased out of service as the 205A's became operational.
  In 1973, a group of American advisors arrived in Iran to assess the geography and climate of the country, and eventually it was decided to establish three combat units in Kermanshah, Masjed Soleyman, and Kerman, and one general support unit in Isfahan, and a pilot and technical education center at Vatanpour Airbase; a total number of 202 Bell AH-1J Internationals (62 of which were TOW-capable) and  287 Bell 214A/C Isfahan helicopters were purchased from the United States, and American trainers were stationed at the Isfahan and Kermanshah education centers. Army Aviation was supposed to have become fully operational by 1982; however, the project was interrupted by the 1979 Revolution.
  Iran also took delivery of 70 Boeing (Elicotteri Meridionali) CH-47C Chinooks and 11 more after the Revolution from Italy.
  Imperial Iranian Army Aviation was one of the Iranian forces that participated in Dhofar Rebellion in Oman.
caption: The official seal of Imperial Iranian Army Aviation