[2] It has fought in the Iran–Iraq War in the 1980s, in which the Havanirooz played a crucial role in destroying and defeating the invading Iraqi armies.

Its military role include assault duties, anti-tank warfare, reconnaissance, liaison, escorting military columns and transportation, special operations, infiltration operations, directing artillery and mortar fire, as a covering force, delivering suppressive fire, illuminating the battlefield, combat search and rescue (CSAR), as well as air-to-air combat (see the § Iran–Iraq War section).

In 1973, a group of American advisors arrived in Iran to assess the geography and climate of the country, and eventually it was decided to establish three combat units in Kermanshah, Masjed Soleyman, and Kerman, and one general support unit in Isfahan, and a pilot and technical education center at Vatanpour Airbase; a total number of 202 Bell AH-1J Internationals (62 of which were TOW-capable) and 287 Bell 214A/C Isfahan helicopters were purchased from the United States, and American trainers were stationed at the Isfahan and Kermanshah education centers.

After the 1979 Revolution, then-commander of the Imperial Iranian Army Aviation Manouchehr Khosrodad was executed; he was also the founder and former commander of the 23rd Airborne Special Forces Brigade (also known as NOWHED).

The force, which is now called Islamic Republic of Iran Army Aviation, participated in the post-Revolution clashes with the Kurds in Kermanshah (such as in breaking the Siege of Paveh) and Kordestan provinces.

[citation needed] During the initial months of the war, the Army Aviation, usually operating on its own and using intelligence from local people, managed to stop Iraqi tanks from further advancing into the western territories of Iran.

Iranian AH-1Js (particularly the TOW-capable ones) were "exceptionally effective" in anti-armour warfare, inflicting heavy losses on Iraqi armoured and vehicle formations.

[8][9] Due to the post-Revolution weapons sanctions, Iranians equipped the AH-1Js with the AGM-65 Maverick missiles and used it in some operations with some success.

Based on reports published by the Flightglobal Insight and the International Institute of Strategic Studies, as of 2020 the inventory includes: