Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a meeting with commanders and staff of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I congratulate the great family of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran on the nineteenth of Bahman.

The predominant aspect of this phenomenon is a groundbreaking courage from those whom the Iranian nation did not have this perception about. When a nation, with all its being, with all its power, and with a loud voice, cries out its ideals in a domain and stands firm on them, making the world aware and astonished, what does the opposing front rely on? Typically, it relies on its military forces. Such a perception existed in the minds of many of our people; however, they suddenly witnessed the opposite. They saw that in the heart of the armed forces, at a point that was actually the darling of the armed forces - that is, the Air Force - a movement arose that advanced the general movement and revolution a significant step forward. This action also had risks. No one should think that this action was without danger that day; no, it was very dangerous; a courageous act was performed. I was also a witness and observer of this great movement that day and felt its impact on the overall revolutionary atmosphere of the country. Therefore, this movement, like all courageous movements arising from the manifestation of human will and determination, is enduring and will be recorded in history, and it has been recorded. This is the predominant aspect of the matter. However, I do not look at this issue only from this angle - although this angle is very important - I pay attention to the fact that the Air Force stood firm on this matter. Many in this country may not know what great work and what valuable movement began in the Air Force after the establishment of the Islamic system and the Islamic Republic. I know well what happened in the Air Force; the Air Force stood firm on this matter. Among the high ranks of this force were those who were not very inclined, but the youth of that day in the Air Force - many of whom are now part of the leadership of the force and among the senior commanders of the force and many of whom have also been martyred - resolved to remain at the forefront, and they did.

In those days, organizing the Air Force and organizing various sections of the army was an important issue. This work was carried out with such delicacy, skill, and adherence to the principles of the revolution within the Air Force that it even astonished close and familiar observers. Then the imposed war began, and it was time for operations. Eyes were focused on what the Air Force would do. The Air Force played a role and appeared in the middle of the field. Although the Air Force is a supporting force, at a crucial moment at the beginning of the war, it became the axis of the sacred defense. At that time, I was a representative of the Islamic Consultative Assembly; I went to the Assembly and reported on the number of sorties of the Air Force during the war; the representatives were astonished! Once again, the Air Force surprised others; at that time, when the devices - according to some - were malfunctioning and idle and nearing the end, it revived them. Perhaps it was the first or second day of the war when several military leaders of that day gave me a paper that showed, according to statistics, that we would not have any aircraft in the sky of the country for a maximum of twenty days; neither transport nor fighter jets. I still keep that paper. They told us it was impossible; however, our youth - from our pilots, our technicians, our air defense, all and all - came together and managed the eight years of war without adding anything significant to the army's resources; that too in the face of global support for the Saddam regime. They provided that regime with aircraft and radar and air defense capabilities and equipped it with the most modern tools and equipment; however, the Air Force stood firm: "Indeed, those who said, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remained steadfast..." Many believe in a cause and enter the circle of believers; however, when problems arise and heavy responsibilities come, they back down. Those who are praised by God are those who, when they say yes and enter the field of honor and sincerity, stand firm on it, and our Air Force stood firm. This is my testimony, and it is a testimony from close range. I say this so that you, the youth of the Air Force - many of whom did not experience those days and have not seen those personalities; many of you have not seen the prominent figures of the Air Force like Babaei and Sotari - know what outstanding work the previous generation did and what great service they provided to the country and the Islamic system. Today, you bear the same heavy burden. The first day of the revolution, twenty-five years after the revolution, in terms of the weight of responsibility, makes no difference, except that as we move forward, the work becomes more complicated, delicate, and precise, and this is up to you.

Today, your country, as it seeks to be free and independent and self-reliant, is under attack; there is no other issue in Iran. Who today does not know that the issue of human rights and freedom and democracy and other words that come out of the mouths of foreign loudspeakers are nothing but empty words and flimsy excuses? Everyone knows this. Today, who does not know about America's support and the support of the other arrogant powers of the world for one hundred percent dictatorial regimes? Who does not know that in this country, for fifty years, a black dependent dictatorial regime - the first and second Pahlavis - ruled and was supported by the powers and sometimes by the very current figures? Everyone knows these things. It is clear that these realities indicate many things. Their opposition to the Islamic Republic is only for one reason: this nation has desired, resolved, and been able to remain independent and not submit to them and not sell itself to them. Today, this is the issue.

We have desired and, with God's grace and power, we have been able. Twenty-five years is not a short time for international pressures; however, the Islamic Republic system, with its strong popular structure - the mortar of which is faith and readiness for struggle - has been able not only to resist against pressures until today but also to strengthen itself day by day; after this, it will be the same. We have strengthened ourselves. Until the day these pressures continue, the enemies will become hopeless. What is their hopelessness? It is that they feel that the process of movement and strengthening of oneself in the Islamic Republic is not stoppable. Part of this great work is your responsibility, part is the responsibility of non-military scholars, part is the responsibility of universities, and part is the responsibility of politicians; they can also play a role in creating this belief that pressures will be alleviated or removed. In any case, a major role is on you. You must build, maintain, increase, innovate, strengthen organization, and alongside building effective tools, create skilled individuals.

I have repeatedly said this point that one day in this country, if a piece of the fighter jets you have today broke down, it would be put inside an aircraft and taken to America for repair and returned; that is, they would not allow this piece to be opened in Iran, and the Iranian military engineer and industrialist would not even know what is inside this piece! Today, you build aircraft and bring them into flight. At the beginning of the war, when they said we did not have such and such a part, we mourned and stayed wondering where to get it from; however, today you make these parts yourselves. The first point in the army that created the self-sufficiency jihad was the Air Force. Around the year sixty, they created the self-sufficiency jihad, and then they informed us about it, and we also established this organization throughout the army. Therefore, the Air Force can, and you youth can.

Utilize the experience of the veterans, the innovative spirit in the dear men and women and youth, the academic sector of the country, and above all, your own inherent and inner abilities as much as you can; keep what you have well and refine it from deficiencies and weaknesses and add to it. You can do these things. Know that the main source for this work is faith and trust; faith and trust in God and faith in oneself. Islam guides us on this path. The best means for a person is faith. Faith gives hope to a person; it encourages him; it makes him steadfast and diminishes failures in his eyes; it gives him hope to pursue the abilities that God has entrusted in human existence.

I pray for all of you and ask the Almighty God for a good end. We all take pride in having you dear ones, you youth, and you good and faithful men and women, and we thank God.