Misplaced Pages

Mohammad H. Mehrmand: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 12:39, 29 December 2024 editYesI'mOnFire (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users14,378 edits Added {{Tone}} tagTag: Twinkle← Previous edit Latest revision as of 17:05, 15 January 2025 edit undoMIDI (talk | contribs)Administrators62,276 editsm Last command: MOS:EUPHEMISM, replaced: passed away → diedTag: AWB 
(6 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Iranian Air Force general, last commander of the IIAF Tactical Air Command}} {{Short description|Iranian Air Force general, last commander of the IIAF Tactical Air Command}}{{Infobox military person
{{Tone|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Lieutenant General | honorific_prefix = Lieutenant General
| name = Mohammad Hossein Mehrmand | name = Mohammad Hossein Mehrmand
Line 16: Line 14:
| known_for = Last commander of IIAF Tactical Air Command | known_for = Last commander of IIAF Tactical Air Command
}} }}
] '''Mohammad H. Mehrmand''' was a senior commander in the ](IIAF) who served from 1949-1979. He held multiple commands, the last one being the Tactical Air Command (TAC).<ref>{{Cite web |last=spiel |title=The death of Lt. Gen. Mehrmand, the last tactical commander of the Imperial Air Force |url=http://onenewsbox.com/2024/09/10/the-death-of-lt-gen-mehrmand-the-last-tactical-commander-of-the-imperial-air-force/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=One News Box |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mehrmand |first=Moḥammad Ḥossein |title=Buland-i āsmān jāygāh-i man ast: High sky is my place |publisher=Ketab Corporation |isbn=978-1-59584-795-9 |location=Pacoima, CA}}</ref> ] '''Mohammad H. Mehrmand''' was a senior fighter pilot and commander in the ](IIAF) who served from 1949 to 1979. He held multiple commands, the last one being the Tactical Air Command (TAC).<ref>{{Cite web |last=spiel |title=The death of Lt. Gen. Mehrmand, the last tactical commander of the Imperial Air Force |url=http://onenewsbox.com/2024/09/10/the-death-of-lt-gen-mehrmand-the-last-tactical-commander-of-the-imperial-air-force/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=One News Box |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mehrmand |first=Moḥammad Ḥossein |title=Buland-i āsmān jāygāh-i man ast: High sky is my place |publisher=Ketab Corporation |isbn=978-1-59584-795-9 |location=Pacoima, CA}}</ref>


== Early life == == Early life ==
Mohammad H. Mehrmand was born in 1928 in Tehran, where he attended elementary school, and later enrolled in a military boarding school where he completed secondary studies. In 1949 he attended the Imperial Iranian Army military academy aiming to become an officer.<ref name=":0" /> Mohammad H. Mehrmand was born in 1928 in Tehran, where he attended elementary school, and later a military boarding school for secondary studies. In 1949 he was accepted into the Iranian Army military academy as an officer cadet.<ref name=":0" />


== Career == == Career ==
In his first year of study, he transferred to the newly established IIAF academy to become a pilot cadet. He trained on various propeller planes like the ], ], and the ]. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 1952. The following year, as the IIAF was entering the jet age, Lieutenant Mehrmand was sent with a group of 15 pilots including Captain (later Lieutenant General) ] and Colonel (later General) ] to train as jet instructors at the US Air Force base in ] in West Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Of The Golden Crown – IIAF |url=https://www.iiaf.net/history-of-the-golden-crown/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Izadseta |first=Colonel F. |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Immortals_of_the_Sky.html?id=lFxDzwEACAAJ |title=Immortals of the Sky |date=2022-06-28 |publisher=Palmetto Publishing |isbn=978-1-68515-606-0 |language=en}}</ref> Upon returning to Iran he was initially stationed at the new Tactical Fighter Base (TFB) 1 at Mehrabad in Tehran, flying ]. Shortly afterwards Major Mehrmand transferred to the newly formed Vahdati air force base in Dezful, flying the more advanced ] as a squadron leader.<ref name=":1" /> He continued his advancement with further jet instructor trainings in the US and officer courses, as well as several command capacities including deputy wing commander.<ref name=":0" /> In his first year at the academy, he transferred to the newly established IIAF academy to become a pilot cadet and trained on various propeller planes like the ], ], and the ]. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 1952. The following year, Lieutenant Mehrmand was among a group of 15 pilots including Captain (later Lieutenant General) ] and Colonel (later General) ] to train as jet instructors at the US Air Force base in ] in West Germany.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History Of The Golden Crown – IIAF |url=https://www.iiaf.net/history-of-the-golden-crown/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Izadseta |first=Colonel F. |url=https://books.google.com/books/about/Immortals_of_the_Sky.html?id=lFxDzwEACAAJ |title=Immortals of the Sky |date=2022-06-28 |publisher=Palmetto Publishing |isbn=978-1-68515-606-0 |language=en}}</ref> After returning to Iran he was stationed at the new Tactical Fighter Base (TFB) 1 at Mehrabad in Tehran, flying ], followed by Vahdati air force base in Dezful, flying the more advanced ] as a squadron leader.<ref name=":1" /> He continued further jet instructor trainings in the US and officer courses, as well as several command capacities including deputy wing commander.<ref name=":0" />


In 1972 he took command of the recently established 3rd TFB, known as Shahrokhi, in Hamedan, initially flying ], then the ]. His four year tenure in Shahrokhi saw the air base become one of Iran's most important and powerful, and it played a pivotal role in the ] of the 1980's.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988 |url=https://www.goodwillbooks.com/iran-iraq-war-in-the-air-1980-1988-309-9780764316692.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.goodwillbooks.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=osprey.com |title=Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat |url=https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/iranian-f4-phantom-ii-units-in-combat-9781841766584/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240414195949/https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/iranian-f4-phantom-ii-units-in-combat-9781841766584/ |archive-date=2024-04-14 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Osprey Publishing |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dagres |first=Holly |date=2020-09-23 |title=How the Iranian air force turned the tide of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980 |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/how-the-iranian-air-force-turned-the-tide-of-the-iran-iraq-war-in-1980/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1972 he took command of the recently established 3rd TFB, known as Shahrokhi, in Hamedan, initially flying ]s, then the ]. Shahrokhi become an important base, and played a significant role in the ] of the 1980s.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988 |url=https://www.goodwillbooks.com/iran-iraq-war-in-the-air-1980-1988-309-9780764316692.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.goodwillbooks.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=osprey.com |title=Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat |url=https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/iranian-f4-phantom-ii-units-in-combat-9781841766584/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240414195949/https://www.ospreypublishing.com/us/iranian-f4-phantom-ii-units-in-combat-9781841766584/ |archive-date=2024-04-14 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Osprey Publishing |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dagres |first=Holly |date=2020-09-23 |title=How the Iranian air force turned the tide of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980 |url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/iransource/how-the-iranian-air-force-turned-the-tide-of-the-iran-iraq-war-in-1980/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Atlantic Council |language=en-US}}</ref>


== Last command == == Last command ==
By the mid 1970's, the IIAF had grown significantly, and established the Tactical Air Command (TAC) to better manage its operations and command of all ten of the IIAF's tactical bases.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tactical Air Command – IIAF |url=https://www.iiaf.net/tactical-air-command/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> Major General Mehrmand became its deputy commander. One year later, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and became commander of TAC. He remained in this capacity until the ], and oversaw multiple large scale initiatives and joint exercises with the United States and allies, including live fire demonstrations in front of US and Iranian dignitaries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Barnes & |title=The Fall of Heaven: The Pahlavis and the Final Days of Imperial Iran{{!}}Paperback |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-heaven-andrew-scott-cooper/1122678665 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231003011229/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-heaven-andrew-scott-cooper/1122678665 |archive-date=2023-10-03 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Barnes & Noble |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> By the mid-1970s, the IIAF established the Tactical Air Command (TAC) to better manage its operations and command of all ten of the IIAF's tactical bases.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tactical Air Command – IIAF |url=https://www.iiaf.net/tactical-air-command/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=en-US}}</ref> Major General Mehrmand became its deputy commander. One year later, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and became commander of TAC. He remained in this capacity until the ], and oversaw initiatives and joint exercises with the United States and allies, including live fire demonstrations in front of US and Iranian dignitaries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Barnes & |title=The Fall of Heaven: The Pahlavis and the Final Days of Imperial Iran{{!}}Paperback |url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-heaven-andrew-scott-cooper/1122678665 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231003011229/https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fall-of-heaven-andrew-scott-cooper/1122678665 |archive-date=2023-10-03 |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=Barnes & Noble |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


As the ] unfolded, thousands of US military and civilian personnel and their families in Iran needed to be evacuated. Unrest had spread throughout the cities and into some of the military ranks, where some elements threatened to block the exit of the Americans. Lieutenant General Mehrmand personally intervened and directly negotiated with those elements and convinced them that this would be detrimental to the future of the country, and ensured the safe evacuation of the American personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LegiStorm: Congress Revealed |url=https://www.legistorm.com/congress_reports/view_crec/691762/Congressional_Record_HONORING_MR_MOHAMMAD_HOSSEIN_MEHRMAND.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.legistorm.com}}</ref> As the ] unfolded, thousands of US military and civilian personnel and their families in Iran needed to be evacuated. Unrest had spread throughout the cities and into some of the military ranks, where some elements threatened to block the exit of the Americans. Lieutenant General Mehrmand personally intervened and directly negotiated with those elements and convinced them to not follow through, thus ensuring the safe evacuation of the American personnel.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LegiStorm: Congress Revealed |url=https://www.legistorm.com/congress_reports/view_crec/691762/Congressional_Record_HONORING_MR_MOHAMMAD_HOSSEIN_MEHRMAND.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.legistorm.com}}</ref>


Lieutenant General Mehrmand retired from the IIAF when it ceased to exist in 1979, and ultimately resettled with his family in the United States where he was active among the Iranian opposition and veterans' community. He has issued statements in support of popular opposition in Iran<ref>{{Cite web |last=لندن |first=کیهان |title=پیام سپهبد مهرمند امیر نیروی هوایی شاهنشاهی ایران |url=https://kayhan.london/1401/07/12/301127/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=fa-IR}}</ref>, and in 2023 he published his memoirs, "High Sky is my Place"<ref name=":0" />. He passed away in southern California in the US in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IIAF Associationt |url=https://www.iiafassociation.org/SepahbodMhM.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.iiafassociation.org}}</ref> Lieutenant General Mehrmand retired from the IIAF when it ceased to exist in 1979, and ultimately resettled with his family in the United States where he was active among the Iranian opposition and veterans' community. He has issued statements in support of popular opposition in Iran,<ref>{{Cite web |last=لندن |first=کیهان |title=پیام سپهبد مهرمند امیر نیروی هوایی شاهنشاهی ایران |url=https://kayhan.london/1401/07/12/301127/ |access-date=2024-12-29 |language=fa-IR}}</ref> and in 2023 he published his memoirs, "High Sky is my Place".<ref name=":0" /> He died in southern California in the US in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IIAF Associationt |url=https://www.iiafassociation.org/SepahbodMhM.html |access-date=2024-12-29 |website=www.iiafassociation.org}}</ref>


== References == == References ==
Line 39: Line 37:
] ]
] ]
]
]

Latest revision as of 17:05, 15 January 2025

Iranian Air Force general, last commander of the IIAF Tactical Air Command
Lieutenant General
Mohammad Hossein Mehrmand
Native nameمحمد حسین مهرمند
Born1928
Tehran, Iran
Died2024
US
Service / branchImperial Iranian Air Force (IIAF)
Years of service1949-1979
Rank Lieutenant general(Sepahbod)
CommandsIIAF:
204th TFS, Vahdati AFB (Dezful) (F-86)
Deputy Commander Operations, Mehrabad AFB (Tehran)
Deputy Commander, Vahdati AFB (Dezful)
Wing Commander, Shahrokhi AFB (Hamedan) (F-5/F-4)
Deputy Commander, Tactical Air Command (TAC) (Shiraz)
Commander ,TAC (Shiraz)
Known forLast commander of IIAF Tactical Air Command

Lieutenant General Mohammad H. Mehrmand was a senior fighter pilot and commander in the Imperial Iranian Air Force(IIAF) who served from 1949 to 1979. He held multiple commands, the last one being the Tactical Air Command (TAC).

Early life

Mohammad H. Mehrmand was born in 1928 in Tehran, where he attended elementary school, and later a military boarding school for secondary studies. In 1949 he was accepted into the Iranian Army military academy as an officer cadet.

Career

In his first year at the academy, he transferred to the newly established IIAF academy to become a pilot cadet and trained on various propeller planes like the De Havilland Tiger Moth, North American T-6 Harvard, and the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 1952. The following year, Lieutenant Mehrmand was among a group of 15 pilots including Captain (later Lieutenant General) Nader Jahanbani and Colonel (later General) Mohammad Amir Khatami to train as jet instructors at the US Air Force base in Furstenfeldbruck in West Germany. After returning to Iran he was stationed at the new Tactical Fighter Base (TFB) 1 at Mehrabad in Tehran, flying F-84 Thunderjets, followed by Vahdati air force base in Dezful, flying the more advanced F-86 Sabres as a squadron leader. He continued further jet instructor trainings in the US and officer courses, as well as several command capacities including deputy wing commander.

In 1972 he took command of the recently established 3rd TFB, known as Shahrokhi, in Hamedan, initially flying Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighters, then the F-4 Phantom II. Shahrokhi become an important base, and played a significant role in the Iran Iraq war of the 1980s.

Last command

By the mid-1970s, the IIAF established the Tactical Air Command (TAC) to better manage its operations and command of all ten of the IIAF's tactical bases. Major General Mehrmand became its deputy commander. One year later, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and became commander of TAC. He remained in this capacity until the 1979 Islamic revolution, and oversaw initiatives and joint exercises with the United States and allies, including live fire demonstrations in front of US and Iranian dignitaries.

As the 1979 Islamic revolution unfolded, thousands of US military and civilian personnel and their families in Iran needed to be evacuated. Unrest had spread throughout the cities and into some of the military ranks, where some elements threatened to block the exit of the Americans. Lieutenant General Mehrmand personally intervened and directly negotiated with those elements and convinced them to not follow through, thus ensuring the safe evacuation of the American personnel.

Lieutenant General Mehrmand retired from the IIAF when it ceased to exist in 1979, and ultimately resettled with his family in the United States where he was active among the Iranian opposition and veterans' community. He has issued statements in support of popular opposition in Iran, and in 2023 he published his memoirs, "High Sky is my Place". He died in southern California in the US in 2024.

References

  1. spiel. "The death of Lt. Gen. Mehrmand, the last tactical commander of the Imperial Air Force". One News Box. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  2. ^ Mehrmand, Moḥammad Ḥossein. Buland-i āsmān jāygāh-i man ast: High sky is my place. Pacoima, CA: Ketab Corporation. ISBN 978-1-59584-795-9.
  3. "History Of The Golden Crown – IIAF". Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  4. ^ Izadseta, Colonel F. (2022-06-28). Immortals of the Sky. Palmetto Publishing. ISBN 978-1-68515-606-0.
  5. "Iran-Iraq War in the Air 1980-1988". www.goodwillbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  6. osprey.com. "Iranian F-4 Phantom II Units in Combat". Osprey Publishing. Archived from the original on 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  7. Dagres, Holly (2020-09-23). "How the Iranian air force turned the tide of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980". Atlantic Council. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  8. "Tactical Air Command – IIAF". Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  9. Noble, Barnes &. "The Fall of Heaven: The Pahlavis and the Final Days of Imperial Iran|Paperback". Barnes & Noble. Archived from the original on 2023-10-03. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  10. "LegiStorm: Congress Revealed". www.legistorm.com. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  11. لندن, کیهان. "پیام سپهبد مهرمند امیر نیروی هوایی شاهنشاهی ایران" (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-12-29.
  12. "IIAF Associationt". www.iiafassociation.org. Retrieved 2024-12-29.
Categories:
Mohammad H. Mehrmand: Difference between revisions Add topic