Iran unveils first underground air force base, Eagle 44 - report

This is one of several Iranian underground air force bases to have been built in recent years throughout the country.

 Iran's Army chief, Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Bagheri visit the first underground air force base, called "Eagle 44" at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on February 7, 2023.  (photo credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Iran's Army chief, Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Bagheri visit the first underground air force base, called "Eagle 44" at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on February 7, 2023.
(photo credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

Iran on Tuesday unveiled its first underground air force base, called "Eagle 44," according to the official IRNA news agency.

"It is one of the army's most important air force bases, with fighters equipped with long-range cruise missiles and built in the depths of the Earth," IRNA added.

"It is one of the army's most important air force bases, with fighters equipped with long-range cruise missiles and built in the depths of the Earth."

IRNA

The Iranian news outlet also said that this is one of several underground air force bases to have been built in recent years throughout the country.

One of several Iranian underground air force bases

In addition, the air force base will allow the Iranian military to carry out surprise airborne operations far from the expectations of the country's enemies, according to Tasnim News.

The base was visited by a number of high-ranking Iranian military officials ahead of its official unveiling in Iran's state media outlets.

 Iran's Army chief, Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Bagheri visit the first underground air force base, called ''Eagle 44'' at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on February 7, 2023. (credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)
Iran's Army chief, Maj.-Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi and Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Mohammad Bagheri visit the first underground air force base, called ''Eagle 44'' at an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on February 7, 2023. (credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY)/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

This is a developing story.