Formation of the IRGC Airborne Unit by Order of the Supreme Leader

According to the deputy commander of the IRGC Ground Forces and based on the 'order of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran', the Airborne Unit (aviation unit of the Ground Forces) of the IRGC is being formed. Abdullah Iraqi, the deputy commander of the IRGC Ground Forces, announced on Tuesday, February 21, in an interview with the Fars News Agency, that 'the helicopters of the IRGC are being transferred to the Ground Forces for the formation of the Airborne Unit.' According to Mr. Iraqi, this transfer is carried out by the order of the Supreme Leader and part of the helicopters has been assigned to the IRGC Ground Forces (NEZSA). Previously, the helicopters of the IRGC were mainly under the control of the Aerospace Force of this entity and were used there. The Aerospace Force of the IRGC, known by the alias 'NEHSA', is a branch of the IRGC that was formed in 2009 with the dissolution of the IRGC Air Force and the addition of the space section to it. This organization is responsible for both air force duties and the missile and space missions of the IRGC. Over the past years, the IRGC and its Aerospace Force have taken significant steps to strengthen their military capabilities. In this context, in December of this year, the IRGC unveiled its 'second missile city' of its Aerospace Force. According to IRGC officials, these missile bases are built 500 meters underground. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the IRGC Aerospace Force, stated at the unveiling of the first 'missile city' in October that Iran's long-range missile bases are '500 meters deep under high mountains' and 'ready to confront the threats of enemies in all provinces and cities' of the country. Mr. Hajizadeh added that 'these missiles are mounted on launchers in various ranges at all bases, ready to launch, with hands on the trigger, just waiting for the order of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.' Following him, Hassan Karimpoor, senior advisor to Qassem Soleimani, the commander of the Quds Force, the IRGC's overseas branch, reported the existence of '14 underground depots at depths of 30 to 500 meters underground' in various parts of Iran for storing missile systems, stating that these bases are safe from enemy sight and will be used if necessary. Additionally, the deputy commander of the IRGC previously mentioned that the IRGC possesses a 'unique' ballistic missile that 'only Russia and the United States might have,' stating that American ships and 'regional bases' are within the range of Iran's 'precision-guided and unique ballistic missiles.'