Rasoul gently adjusted the collective pitch, increasing the throttle with his right hand. The AH-1 attack helicopter, like an agile Cobra, stretched and climbed, beginning its return journey.
Their small squad, consisting of four helicopters, had been scouting this swamp for several days, hoping to find a path wide enough for tanks, and a relatively firm spot in the middle of the swamp to set up a fuel supply depot.
The AH-1 "Cobra" helicopter was a dedicated anti-tank attack helicopter developed by Bell Helicopter Company for the US Army in the mid-1960s. Its two high-power engines gave it excellent maneuverability. The two crew members were arranged in tandem, with the weapons operator in the front and the pilot in the back, offering a wide field of view conducive to effectively eliminating enemies. Its side pylons could carry TOW anti-tank missiles, 70mm rocket pods, and an M61A1 Vulcan cannon, giving it formidable firepower.
Since Iran introduced this helicopter, it had been used as a primary piece of military equipment. However, ever since President Khomeini came to power, the supply of parts for this helicopter had been cut off.
As long as a helicopter was running, certain parts would be consumed and needed replacement according to flight hours. The Cobras, once ubiquitous in the Iranian skies, are now restricted in use, and some in poor condition are even cannibalized for parts to keep other aircraft flying.
Although Tehran had tried to purchase them through secret channels, they had yet to receive any reply.
This reconnaissance mission was crucial, and using armored vehicles to scout the swamp would be too dangerous, which is why their flight squad was dispatched to execute this task.
They were very lucky to discover a certain highland in the middle of the swamp where the ground beneath was solid rock, making it extremely stable and a very secure location for a fuel and ammunition storage point.
They knew how dangerous the upcoming mission for the armored troops would be.
Approaching the base ahead, only dim lights were visible to prevent air raids.
"Boss, we're home." Shamsuddin in the front seat said.
"Something looks off. What are those bundles of dark stuff down there?" Rasoul asked, looking through the side bulletproof glass.
"Probably something the armored troops set up," Shamsuddin said carelessly. "Should I turn on the navigation lights to check?"
Never mind. Rasoul had already spotted the circle where he needed to land. A ground crew member was directing his descent with a glowing baton.
He pressed the left pedal, and the helicopter turned a half circle in the air. Lowering the collective pitch, the Cobra dipped its noble head and slowly descended.
"Thump!" The landing gear smoothly touched the ground, just as practiced in training. He shut off the engine, the massive rotor blades ceased spinning, and opening the side window, Rasoul and Shamsuddin jumped out.
Holding their flight helmets, Rasoul and Shamsuddin hadn't taken a step before they heard the ground crew member say, "Report, Captain, General Sharaf is waiting for you two in the War Room."
General Sharaf? Both men knew that General Sharaf was the overall commander of this operation, with one armored division and two infantry brigades standing by here.
Fortunately, they had found a place suitable for a supply depot this time, so they would have something to report when General Sharaf inquired.
The two straightened their uniforms and strode toward the War Room.
"Reporting!"
"Enter!"
The two pushed the door open and entered, seeing several high-ranking officers seated in the War Room; the lowest rank present was Major General.
However, everyone was gathered around the person in the center, reporting something to him.
The person sitting in the central chair had somewhat gray hair, but his spirit was still vigorous. He was listening to the report from the Armored Division Commander next to him.
Seeing the two enter, he raised his head. Rasoul and Shamsuddin instantly snapped to attention: "Greetings, Chairman!"
The man sitting in the center was Abolhassan Banisadr, the first President of Iran after the Iranian Revolution.
Abolhassan was born in Hamadan, Iran. In his early years, he majored in theology and law at the University of Tehran. During university, he was affected by the corruption among the nation's high-ranking officials and the tragic lives of the common people, leading him to join anti-Shah student groups. He was imprisoned twice and injured in a riot in 1963. Afterward, he went to study at Paris-Sorbonne University in France.
While in France, Abolhassan frequently interacted with the Iranian resistance movement led by Khomeini. In 1979, he returned to Iran with Khomeini to participate in the Islamic Revolution activities. In the newly established government, he served as the Minister of Economy and Finance, and also temporarily as the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.
After the success of the Iranian Revolution, Abol was elected President of Iran through popular vote. Although he had Khomeini's support, his relationship with the Islamic Republican Party was not harmonious. Ideological differences caused him to drift further away from the religious leader. Subsequently, Khomeini relieved him of his military command.
However, after Iran was shamelessly attacked by Iraq in September of the same year, Abol was once again appointed Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council. Since then, he has mostly remained in the frontline command post.
As an Iranian who longed for his country to be strong, Abol did his best. He had been preparing for a counterattack against Iraq, and the idea of crossing the Susangerd Swamp to attack the Iraqis from the rear originated with him.
Now, in his capacity as Chairman of the Supreme Defense Council, he personally came to the frontline to check on the progress of the situation.
Whether the attack here could proceed smoothly would determine the next step in the counterattack battle at Abadan in the southern sector, so he was extremely concerned.
Abol did not know that a conspiracy against him was underway in Tehran. Within a few days, he would be forced to leave Iran, flee to France, and establish a government-in-exile opposing Khomeini's rule, declaring himself president.
"Our brave young men are back. You've been circling above the Susangerd Swamp for so long, have you found a suitable spot?" Abol asked.
"Reporting, Chairman, we finally found an area several hundred meters in circumference, enough for our fuel trucks to park. Moreover, the ground beneath is solid rock, making it very stable," Rasoul reported.
Hearing this, everyone present relaxed. Their top priority finally had a clear path forward.
"Justice will always belong to our great Iran. allah is with us!" Abol declared. "Can our tanks enter the swamp now?"
"Reporting, Chairman, with sufficient fuel supplies, we can deploy anytime," said Rajavi, the Armored Division Commander. "Although our Chieftain tanks face difficult movement in the swamp, we have made prior arrangements."
"Oh? What good idea do you have?" Abol asked.
"Reporting, Chairman, over the past few days, we have cut down all the surrounding reeds and bundled them up. When we advance, each armored vehicle will carry several bundles, using them to pave the swamp beneath as we move forward. This way, we can lay a path sufficient for crossing the swamp! Wheeled vehicles transporting fuel supplies can also use this road. Furthermore, the meteorological department forecasts no rain for the next half month, so our attack operation should proceed very smoothly."
No wonder he saw so many bundles outside just now—that's what they were for! The Armored Division Commander's idea was truly brilliant! Even Rasoul admired the clever concept.
"Yes, that's acceptable, but you must be careful not to be detected by the enemy's aerial reconnaissance during your march," Abol said. Due to the loss of spare parts supply for the powerful F-14 fighter jets, fewer than forty aircraft were capable of flying combat missions, and they also had to defend key locations like Tehran. The once magnificent Iranian Air Force had begun to decline since the start of the war.
"The Iraqis have absolutely no interest in this swamp. They will never anticipate that we would attack from here," Rajavi said, smiling.