"The last phase of the maneuvers was completed successfully, and the
participating aircraft accurately struck their targets," Iranian military
spokesman Brig. Gen. Hussein Chitforoush said.
In an Oct. 20 statement, Chitforoush said the U.S.-origin F-14 and the
Iranian-origin Lightning aircraft participated in the exercise. The
brigadier said Iran fired indigenous precision-guided missiles from a range
of fighter-jets. He said Iranian pilots also operated amid anti-aircraft
fire.
"At this stage, F-14 aircraft held the last phase of their tactical
flights," Chitforoush said. "Unmanned aircraft, reconnaissance, electronic
tracking and Saiqeh [Lightning], all been built by the capable personnel of
this force, were demonstrated at this stage of the maneuvers."
Officials said this was the second major air exercise in Iran since
August 2008. The first exercise was said to have focused on air defense and
included a range of Russian-origin surface-to-air missiles.
"Thank God, Iran enjoys brave and committed armed forces leading to
strong national sovereignty," Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei said. "The
enemies have repeatedly confessed that the Islamic Iran and its armed forces
are in the most powerful status."