During the last week of November / first week of December 2018, we paid a visit to Kish Island in Iran for the 9th edition of the Iran International Air Show. More than 100 Iranian and foreign companies showcased their products and technologies during the 4-day event. The booths in the giant exhibition hall featured the capabilities of the Iranian industry, showcasing their expertise in maintaining, modernizing and manufacturing fixed wing aircraft, helicopters, flight simulators, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), propulsion systems and avionics.

However, we were there for the flying display, but more specifically, we were there for the Tomcats.

While the booths in the exhibition hall comprised mostly of civil companies (no weapons systems were on display); the static display, and the flying display, were all dominated by military aircraft of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Air Force and Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as some foreign guests.

Foreign participation consisted of the Russian Air Force Swifts "Strizhi" team flying the MiG-29, and the civilian Baltic Bees Jet Team flying the Aero L-39. Both of these teams were parked on the flightline that was adjacent to the static display when not flying. All display aircraft had to taxy past the public when departing for, or recovering from their flying display, so the public were able to catch a glimpse of aircraft they wouldn't normally be able to see as the air show at Kish is the only air show to be held in Iran.

Highlights of the static display were an Iranian Air Force Grumman F-14A Tomcat, an Air Force HESA Saeqeh, an Iranian Navy Sikorsky SH-3D Sea King helicopter, as well as single examples of an Air Force Pilatus PC-7 and a Revolutionary Guard Embraer EMB-312.

A two hour flying display was held from 2.30pm until 4.30pm daily, and with a few variations, the flying display followed the same format every day. The show opened with parachutists jumping out of a Revolutionary Guard Harbin Y-12 transport, and following on from that, a pair of Revolutionary Guard Sukhoi Su-22M4/Su-22UM3 "Fitter" jets performed low and fast pairs and solo flypasts, as well as making simulating airstrikes.

Once the Fitters finished their display it was the turn of the trainers to fly. A solo Air Force PC-7 displayed, follow by a trio of Revolutionary Guard EMB-312 Tucanos. Next up was a pair of Saeqeh fighters. The Saeqeh is an Iranian attempt to create a multi-role aircraft based on the F-5E/F Tiger, the most noticeable difference between the two types being the V-tail vertical stabiliser. Another low and fast display, the pair put on a nice display, flying over the crowd at times.

The next display item was the Air Force formation flypast, and this is one of the displays that had some variety. On Monday the flypast consisted of three McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms, and two F-14 Tomcats. On Tuesday the formation was joined and led by an Air Force Boeing 707 tanker, while on Wednesday & Thursday the formation was led by an Air Force Boeing KC-747 tanker instead of the 707.

Once the formation had completed its flypast, the tanker departed, and the fighters prepared to come around to perform run and breaks. But before the fighters did their piece, on Monday a Lockheed C-130 Hercules did a flypast only, but on Tuesday it performed a parachute cargo drop, with the spotters area, which was on the south side of the runway away from the crowd line, being the aiming point. After the Tuesday cargo drop, the C-130 made no further appearances at the air show.

Once the Hercules cleared the area, it was time for the Phantoms, followed by the Tomcats, to carry out their run and breaks. Again, the passes were low, but not too fast, allowing us to catch very nice pictures of the formations, the breaks, and of the individual aircraft.

When the Phantoms and Tomcats cleared the display area, the Saeqehs landed and it was the turn of the visitors to display, the Baltic Bees displayed first, with the Strizhi closing the show with a display at sunset.

Apart from the Baltic Bees and Strizhi display teams which were announced in advance, it wasn't known until the flying display commenced on the Monday what exactly to expect at the air show in Kish. While this was the 9th edition of the Kish / Iran International Air Show, it wasn't until the 8th edition that the military participated, so military participation in the flying display was by no means guaranteed. We took a chance, with all fingers and toes crossed, that at least one Tomcat would fly, and thankfully the gamble paid off. The Phantoms, Tomcats, Saeqehs, Fitters and KC-747 flying at the show made the trip worthwhile.

While the flying display was only two hours long, the quality certainly made up for the quantity. The uniqueness of the aircraft, the brilliant weather and a south side photo location, made the 9th Iran International Air Show one of the highlights of the 2018 air show season.