Iran Air Force Day Date in the current year: February 8, 2024

The history of the Iranian Air Force began in 1920, when Reza Shah Pahlavi established the Imperial Iranian Air Force (IAAF). When the Shah left the country following the 1979 revolution and Ayatollah Khomeini returned to Iran from exile as the country’s new leader, most officers of the Imperial Air Force took his side, and the IAAF was renamed the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).

During the first years since its inception, the new Iranian Air Force faced considerable difficulties due to losing most of its leading officers in purges (despite their pledge of allegiance, the new Iranian government didn’t trust former officers of the Imperial Army), as well as because of the US embargo on the supply of weapons to Iran. Despite all the difficulties, the IRIAF played an important role during the early stages of the Iran—Iraq War.

Iran Air Force Day is celebrated annually on February 8. It is the professional holiday of all those who serve in the Iranian Air Force. According to the Middle East Institute 2011 estimate, the size of the IRIAF was 37,000 personnel.