Abbas Doran
Encyclopedia
Major General. Abbas Doran (October 22, 1950 Shiraz
- July 21, 1982 Baghdad
), also spell Dowran or Dooran) was an acclaimed Iran
ian fighter pilot
and a national hero.
He flew for the Imperial Iranian Air Force
(IIAF), and continued flying after it was renamed the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
(IRIAF) in 1979. General Doran piloted an F-4 Phantom II
. He was shot down over Baghdad
in 1982 trying to prevent NAM
conference from taking place in Baghdad by showing the city as insecure during the Iran–Iraq War.
During his time with the IRIAF, General Doran led more than 120 strikes into Iraq and by 1982 had flown over 2500 sorties and more than 900 combat missions.
. He was a member of Undergraduate Pilot Training Program Class 73-02, graduating in the fall of 1972.
kills, and with the help of his wingman and the rest of the IRIAF, he virtually destroyed the Iraqi Navy
in October 1980 during Operation Morvarid
. One of his greatest values to the IRIAF was being the mission planner, because, according to the IRIAF, 90% of his missions in Iraq were successful. When Israel invaded south Lebanon in 1982, Doran was the first pilot to volunteer in case of necessary strike missions into Israel. Some of his mission plans for striking Israel still kept secret to this day in case of a possible conflict between Iran and Israel. He is also known for writing numerous letters to the new government's heads asking them to stop executing and arresting former IIAF pilots during the time of war.
planned to host 7th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement
in Baghdad
to show that Iraq enjoys stability during the ongoing war. The conference was scheduled to take place at Baghdad
’s Al-Rashid Hotel and would have been a big blow to Iran, if Saddam Hussein were to hold it successfully. Iran tried to show Baghdad
is not safe, as IRIAF planned to hit Baghdad by plane for the first time. This was the last sortie
of Doran. He flew on Wednesday, July 21, 1982 at noon. Doran flew to Baghdad on his jet fighter and bombed Al-Doura refinery in Baghdad before carrying out a martyrdom attack on the venue of the international conference days before it was scheduled to open. Flying over the Iraqi capital he fell into a trap. His F-4E was hit by Roland 2 SAM
s. His weapon systems officer
ejected
from the plane and was taken prisoner
. Knowing that he was the most wanted pilot in Iraq and also the key IRIAF mission planner, he chose to die crashing his plane into Al-Rashid Hotel. His actions caused the summit to be held in New Delhi
instead of Baghdad.
for exceptional bravery he showed during the war. Iraq
returned Doran's remains to Iran on 21 July 2002.
Shiraz
Shiraz may refer to:* Shiraz, Iran, a city in Iran* Shiraz County, an administrative subdivision of Iran* Vosketap, Armenia, formerly called ShirazPeople:* Hovhannes Shiraz, Armenian poet* Ara Shiraz, Armenian sculptor...
- July 21, 1982 Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
), also spell Dowran or Dooran) was an acclaimed Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
ian fighter pilot
Fighter pilot
A fighter pilot is a military aviator trained in air-to-air combat while piloting a fighter aircraft . Fighter pilots undergo specialized training in aerial warfare and dogfighting...
and a national hero.
He flew for the Imperial Iranian Air Force
History of the Iranian Air Force
The history of the Iranian Air Force can be divided into two phases - before the Islamic Revolution, and after it.-Imperial era: The Imperial Iranian Air Force was a branch of the Imperial Iranian Armed Forces and was established by Reza Shah, the Shah of Iran, in 1920. It became operational with...
(IIAF), and continued flying after it was renamed the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force
The Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force ' is the aviation branch of the Iranian armed forces. The present Air Force came into being in the early 1980s when the former Imperial Iranian Air Force was renamed....
(IRIAF) in 1979. General Doran piloted an F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
. He was shot down over Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
in 1982 trying to prevent NAM
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
conference from taking place in Baghdad by showing the city as insecure during the Iran–Iraq War.
During his time with the IRIAF, General Doran led more than 120 strikes into Iraq and by 1982 had flown over 2500 sorties and more than 900 combat missions.
Education
Prior to combat training in the F-4 Phantom, Lt Doran received his basic flying training at Columbus AFB, Columbus, MississippiColumbus, Mississippi
Columbus is a city in Lowndes County, Mississippi, United States that lies above the Tombigbee River. It is approximately northeast of Jackson, north of Meridian, south of Tupelo, northwest of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and west of Birmingham, Alabama. The population was 25,944 at the 2000 census...
. He was a member of Undergraduate Pilot Training Program Class 73-02, graduating in the fall of 1972.
Career
General Doran, known for flying the Phantom II beyond its limits, lower and faster than anybody in the Iranian Air Force, was a great marksmanship with the M-61A1 Vulcan gun, and had a high number of AGM-65 MaverickAGM-65 Maverick
The AGM-65 Maverick is an air-to-ground tactical missile designed for close-air support. It is effective against a wide range of tactical targets, including armor, air defenses, ships, ground transportation and fuel storage facilities....
kills, and with the help of his wingman and the rest of the IRIAF, he virtually destroyed the Iraqi Navy
Iraqi Navy
The Iraqi Navy is one of the components of the military of Iraq currently being reconstructed by UK-US Coalition forces in Iraq. Its primary responsibilities are the protection of Iraq's coastline and offshore assets...
in October 1980 during Operation Morvarid
Operation Morvarid
Operation Morvarid was an operation launched by the Iranian Navy and Iranian Air Force against the Iraqi Navy and Air Force on 28 November 1980 in response to Iraq positioning radar and monitoring equipment on the Al-Bakr and Khor-al-Amaya oil rigs to counter Iranian air operations...
. One of his greatest values to the IRIAF was being the mission planner, because, according to the IRIAF, 90% of his missions in Iraq were successful. When Israel invaded south Lebanon in 1982, Doran was the first pilot to volunteer in case of necessary strike missions into Israel. Some of his mission plans for striking Israel still kept secret to this day in case of a possible conflict between Iran and Israel. He is also known for writing numerous letters to the new government's heads asking them to stop executing and arresting former IIAF pilots during the time of war.
Last mission
In 1982, Saddam HusseinSaddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
planned to host 7th Summit of Non-Aligned Movement
Non-Aligned Movement
The Non-Aligned Movement is a group of states considering themselves not aligned formally with or against any major power bloc. As of 2011, the movement had 120 members and 17 observer countries...
in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
to show that Iraq enjoys stability during the ongoing war. The conference was scheduled to take place at Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
’s Al-Rashid Hotel and would have been a big blow to Iran, if Saddam Hussein were to hold it successfully. Iran tried to show Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
is not safe, as IRIAF planned to hit Baghdad by plane for the first time. This was the last sortie
Sortie
Sortie is a term for deployment or dispatch of one military unit, be it an aircraft, ship, or troops from a strongpoint. The sortie, whether by one or more aircraft or vessels, usually has a specific mission....
of Doran. He flew on Wednesday, July 21, 1982 at noon. Doran flew to Baghdad on his jet fighter and bombed Al-Doura refinery in Baghdad before carrying out a martyrdom attack on the venue of the international conference days before it was scheduled to open. Flying over the Iraqi capital he fell into a trap. His F-4E was hit by Roland 2 SAM
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
s. His weapon systems officer
Weapon systems officer
A Weapon Systems Officer is an air Flight Officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of the fighter in the United States Navy. A Weapon Systems Officer ("WSO", pronounced "wizzo") is an air Flight Officer directly involved in all air operations and weapon systems of the...
ejected
Ejector seat
In aircraft, an ejection seat is a system designed to rescue the pilot or other crew of an aircraft in an emergency. In most designs, the seat is propelled out of the aircraft by an explosive charge or rocket motor, carrying the pilot with it. The concept of an eject-able escape capsule has also...
from the plane and was taken prisoner
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
. Knowing that he was the most wanted pilot in Iraq and also the key IRIAF mission planner, he chose to die crashing his plane into Al-Rashid Hotel. His actions caused the summit to be held in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
instead of Baghdad.
Legacy
After the outbreak of the Iran–Iraq War, General Doran became a hero in the IRIAF and beloved by the general public, especially in his home town of ShirazShiraz, Iran
Shiraz is the sixth most populous city in Iran and is the capital of Fars Province, the city's 2009 population was 1,455,073. Shiraz is located in the southwest of Iran on the Roodkhaneye Khoshk seasonal river...
for exceptional bravery he showed during the war. Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
returned Doran's remains to Iran on 21 July 2002.