Abbaas Dowraan (Persian: عباس دوران; October 22, 1950 in Shiraz – July 21, 1982 in Baghdad) was an acclaimed fighter pilot and is regarded as a national hero of Iran.
Abbaas Dowraan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 22 October 1950 Shiraz, Imperial State of Iran |
| Died | 21 July 1982 (aged 31) Baghdad, Ba'athist Iraq |
| Allegiance | Iran |
| Service/ | Air Force |
| Years of service | 1970–1981 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Battles/wars |
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General Dowraan piloted an F-4 Phantom II in the Imperial Iranian Air Force and the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force. He died in action during the Iran–Iraq War.
Education and career edit
Abbas Dowraan attended the Undergraduate Pilot Training Program at Columbus Air Force Base. He graduated in the autumn of 1972 as a member of Class 73-02.
While serving in the Iranian Air Force, he participated in air strikes against the Iraqi Navy during Operation Morvarid in October 1980. He was valued for planning IRIAF operations missions against the Iraqi military with a high rate of success. During the Iran-Iraq war he petitioned Islamic Republic political leaders, asking them to stop arresting and executing former Imperial Iranian Air Force pilots.[1][2]
Last mission edit
In 1982, in an attempt to show the world that Iraq was stable and safe and has the upper hand in the war, Saddam Hussein planned to host the 7th Summit of the international Non-Aligned Movement in Baghdad.[3] The conference was planned to take place at Baghdad's Al-Rashid Hotel.[4] Iran tried to show that Baghdad was vulnerable to IRIAF air strikes. On July 21, 1982, Doran flew his F-4E Phantom to Baghdad and attacked the Al-Doura refinery in Baghdad. His F-4E was then hit by a Roland 2 SAM. His weapon systems officer ejected from the aircraft and was taken prisoner. In order to force the cancellation of the conference and show Baghdad insecurity, Doran directed his aircraft into the Al-Rashid Hotel and crashed in a square near the hotel in Baghdad. To this date, no one really knows for certain why Abbas did not eject from his aircraft. Some people say that the ejection seat might have malfunctioned, while others believe that he did not want to go through the burden of evading Iraqis or becoming a prisoner. [4] His actions caused the summit to be held in New Delhi instead of Baghdad.[5]
Legacy edit
Due to his actions and sacrifice during the war, General Dowraan became a hero of the IRIAF. Iraq returned Doran's remains (a leg bone) to Iran on 21 July 2002.[6][7]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Memories of the Greatest Air Fight in the World". Oral History. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ Khorasani, Shamshad Amiri (2014-02-13). "Biography of Major General Abbas Doran • پارسیان دژ". پارسیان دژ. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ 6th Summit Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non-Aligned Movement,page 96, item 309.
- ^ a b Irna Archived March 11, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ XV Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, Sharm El Sheikh, 11–16 July 2009: Previous Summits Archived 8 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "قهرمان همه دوران؛ عباس دوران". ایسنا (in Persian). 2022-07-21. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
- ^ "زندگینامه: عباس دوران (۱۳۲۹ - ۱۳۶۱)". همشهری آنلاین (in Persian). 2012-08-27. Retrieved 2023-07-29.
External links edit
