TEHRAN - Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, commander of the Iranian Air Force, announced the establishment of a dedicated drone base and the addition of 39 new types of manned aerial vehicles to the air force's inventory.

This announcement coincides with the Fajr ceremony, a ten-day celebration leading up to the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, and comes on the eve of the 45th anniversary of the Air Force's historic pledge of allegiance to the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini.

General Vahedi made the announcement during a meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, attended by commanders and personnel of the Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.

The meeting took place in the Imam Khomeini Hussainiyah and on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the significant pledge of allegiance made by Air Force commanders to Imam Khomeini in 1979.

In another segment of his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei acknowledged the remarkable incident that occurred on February 8, 1979, when the Iranian Air Force personnel pledged allegiance to Imam Khomeini. 

He regarded this event as being of immense significance, while carrying infinite lessons and teachings. "The Air Force took the lead in joining the Revolution through self-sacrifice, sincerity and bravery and it played the very important role of acting as a catalyst in the victory of the Revolution on the 22nd of Bahman," he said.

The Leader recalled that during the Pahlavi era, the Iranian Air Force was completely in the possession of and under the control of the U.S. in terms of command, policies and equipment. 

"The religious and Revolutionary elements, with their self-sufficient voluntary efforts, removed the Air Force from the ownership of the United States and transformed it into a purely Iranian force," he added.

While pointing out that the 22nd of Bahman and the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution is approaching, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "In the same way that in the past 45 years, people have continuously taken to the streets in all cities and villages without a single pause to support their Revolution, and to obey and pledge their allegiance to the magnanimous Imam [Khomeini], God willing, our beloved people will once again participate fervently in the 22nd of Bahman rally this year as a demonstration of our national strength."