Air Force Homafars Pledge Allegiance to Imam Khomeini in the Decisive Days of the Revolution

By Shayan Mahdizadeh

A Turning Point in the Final Days of the Pahlavi Era
As nationwide popular protests intensified, the pledge of allegiance by Air Force homafars of the Imperial Iranian Army to Imam Khomeini emerged as one of the most significant developments in the final days before the victory of the Islamic Revolution. This event clearly demonstrated that cohesion within the military—considered the primary pillar of support for the government of Prime Minister Shapour Bakhtiar—had been seriously undermined.

Mass Demonstrations Across the Country
On February 7 and 8, 1979 (18 and 19 Bahman 1357), large-scale demonstrations were held in cities across Iran in support of the revolution. In Tehran, millions of people marched from multiple routes toward Azadi Square, forming one of the largest public gatherings in the final months of the Pahlavi rule. The participation of all segments of society—women and men, the elderly and children—gave these demonstrations an unprecedented character.

Military Presence Among the People
During these rallies, the presence of uniformed military personnel—particularly Air Force homafars—attracted the attention of both domestic and international media. Groups of Air Force personnel joined the crowds, carrying portraits of Imam Khomeini and Mehdi Bazargan, thereby expressing their support for the Islamic Revolution and the provisional government.

The public, in turn, called on soldiers and non-commissioned officers to join the people through chants such as:

“Soldier, you are one of us — tomorrow you’ll be among us; if this is the case — why not join us today?” and

“Soldier, you belong to us, not to America.”

The Peak of Allegiance on February 8, 1979
The height of this alignment came on Thursday, February 8, 1979, when thousands of members of the armed forces gathered near Imam Khomeini’s residence and openly declared their loyalty. Dressed in official uniforms and organized in disciplined formations, they saluted and chanted slogans in support of the leader of the revolution. Imam Khomeini responded to their expressions of loyalty, effectively endorsing the gesture.

The Historic Photograph at Alavi School
The image captured by Abdolhossein Partovi on February 8, 1979, at Alavi School depicts a group of Imperial Iranian Air Force homafars saluting Imam Khomeini. The photograph was published the following day on the front page of the newspaper Kayhan.

Domestic and International Reactions
The publication of these images generated widespread reactions. While some military officials at the time attempted to cast doubt on the authenticity of the event, the re-publication of the photographs and their confirmation by Imam Khomeini validated the reality of the allegiance.

The impact of the event extended beyond Iran’s borders, drawing attention from foreign media outlets and political circles. The presence of homafars and other military personnel among demonstrators conveyed a clear message: a segment of the army no longer considered itself committed to preserving the monarchy—a development that seriously challenged the calculations of foreign supporters of Bakhtiar’s government.

Preservation of the Original Photograph
Since 2008, the original version of the photograph has been held by the Cultural and Artistic Organization of the Tehran Municipality and is currently preserved in the collection of the Imam Ali Museum of Religious Arts.

A Defining Moment in Revolutionary History
The pledge of allegiance by Air Force homafars to Imam Khomeini on February 8, 1979, was not merely a symbolic act. It represented a tangible sign of alignment between part of the military and the popular will of the Iranian people. Alongside the massive demonstrations and broad public support, this event helped pave the way for the final collapse of the Pahlavi regime and has since been recorded as one of the pivotal moments in the history of Iran’s Islamic Revolution.