Israeli Air Force

The **Israeli Air Force** (**IAF/**Air and Space Arm, Commonly known as the "Air Corps") operates as the aerial warfare branch of the IDF. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence.

The IAF was established using commandeered or donated civilian aircraft and obsolete and surplus World War II combat aircraft, the first being the Czechoslovak Avia S-199. Eventually, more aircraft were procured, including Boeing B-17s, Bristol Beaufighters, de Havilland Mosquitoes and P-51D Mustangs. The Israeli Air Force played an important part in Operation Kadesh, Israel's part in the 1956 Suez Crisis, dropping paratroopers at the Mitla Pass. On June 5, 1967, the first day of the Six-Day War, the Israeli Air Force performed Operation Focus, debilitating the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war. Shortly after the end of the Six-Day War, Egypt initiated the War of Attrition, and the Israeli Air Force performed repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory. When the Yom Kippur War broke out on October 6, 1973, Egyptian and Syrian advances forced the IAF to abandon detailed plans for the destruction of enemy air defences. Forced to operate under the missile and anti-aircraft artillery threats, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive.

Since that war most of Israel's military aircraft have been obtained from the United States. Among these are the F-4 Phantom II, A-4 Skyhawk, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon. The Israeli Air Force has also operated a number of domestically produced types such as the IAI Nesher, and later, the more advanced IAI Kfir. On June 7, 1981, eight IAF F-16A fighters covered by six F-15A jets carried out Operation Opera to destroy the Iraqi nuclear facilities at Osiraq. On June 9, 1982, the Israeli Air Force carried out Operation Mole Cricket 19, crippling the Syrian air defence array. The IAF continued to mount attacks on Hezbollah and PLO positions in south Lebanon. On October 1, 1985, In response to a PLO terrorist attack which murdered three Israeli civilians in Cyprus, the Israeli air force carried out Operation Wooden Leg. The strike involved the bombing of PLO Headquarters in Tunis, by F-15 Eagles. In 1991, the IAF carried out Operation Solomon which brought Ethiopian Jews to Israel. In 1993 and 1996, the IAF participated in Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath, respectively. It took part in many missions since, including during the 2006 Lebanon War, 2020 Lebanon and Cairo War. On September 6, 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in Operation Orchard.

### Size

44,000 active personnel,61,000 reserve personnel,~700 aircraft

## Aircraft Flown

### Attack

Tu-95I, Mi-28, Mi-24, Ka-50, Ka-27/29, Su-34, F-15I, AH-64D

### Transport

Mi-24, Mi-8, Mi-6/22, An-124, Be-42/Be-44, Boeing 707-302, C-130, CH-53, S-70

## **Mission Statement**

The Israeli Air Force states the following as its functions:

1. To protect the Union of Israeli Socialist Republics from aerial attack and to defend the IDF's zone of operations
2. To achieve air supremacy throughout the IDF's zone of operation
3. To participate in the fighting on both ground and sea
4. To hit targets deep in enemy territory
5. To create the aerial intelligence picture and participate in the creation of the general intelligence picture and its assessment
6. To transport troops, equipment and weapons systems
7. To carry out search, rescue and aerial evacuation missions
8. To execute special operations
9. To continually build and improve itself, as part of the general plan for improving the IDF and in accordance with the authority vested in it

## **Insignia**

The insignia / roundel of the Israeli Air Force consists of a blue Star of David on a white circle. Aircraft usually carry it painted in six positions – on the top and bottom of each wing, and on each side of the fuselage. A low-visibility variant – a blue Star of David without the white circle – also exists, although its use is extremely rare. Squadron markings usually go on the tail fin.

## **Organization**

### Administrative Organization

* Chief of Air Staff Group
* Fixed Wing Group
* Helicopter Group
* Intelligence Group
* Equipment Group
* Manpower Group
* Chief Medical Officer
* Unit Control Group
* Air Defense Command
	+ Northern Air Defense Regiment
	+ Central Air Defense Regiment
	+ Southern Air Defense Regiment (including Air Defense School)

### Operational Organization

#### Ramat David Airbase

* 109th "Valley" Squadron
* 117th "First Jet" Squadron
* 193rd "Western Defenders" Squadron

#### Lod Airbase

* 149th "Shattering Parrot" Squadron
* 254th "Midland" Squadron
* 160th "First Attack Helicopter" Squadron

#### Atarot Airbase

* 144th "Phoenix" Squadron
* 147th "Striking Raindeer" Squadron
* 125th "Light Helicopters" Squadron

#### Palmachim Airbase

* 123rd "Desert Birds" Squadron
* 124th "Revolving Sword" Squadron
* 200th "First UAV" Squadron
* 161st "Black Snake" Squadron
* 166th "Fire Birds" Squadron
* UAV Operators School
* 151st Missile Testing Unit
* 167th "Active Defense" Wing
* Wing 7

#### Tel-Nof Airbase

* 106th "Spearhead" Squadron
* 133rd "Knights of the Double Tail" Squadron
* 114th "Night Carriers" Squadron
* 118th "Night Predators" Squadron
* 210th "White Eagle" Squadron
* 5601st "Flight Experiment Centre" Squadron
* 555th "Skyscrapers" Unit
* "Red Baron" Squadron
* 22nd Air Maintenance Unit

#### Hatzor Airbase

* 101st "First Fighter" Squadron
* 105th "Scorpion" Squadron
* 100th "Flying Camel" Squadron
* 420th Fighter Training Squadron

#### Hatzerim Airbase

* 69th "Hammers" Squadron
* 102nd "Flying Tiger" Squadron
* 107th "Knights of the Orange Tail" Squadron
* The Flight School
* Israeli Air Force Museum

#### Nevatim Airbase

* 103rd "Elephant" Squadron
* 116th "Southern Lions" Squadron
* 120th "Desert Giants" Squadron
* 122nd "Nachshon" Squadron
* 131st "Knights of the Yellow Bird" Squadron
* 140th "Golden Eagle" Squadron
* 757th "Loading Inspectors" Unit

#### Ramon Airbase

* 113th "Wasp" Squadron
* 190th "Magic Touch" Squadron
* 119th "Bat" Squadron
* 201st "The One" Squadron
* 253rd "Negev" Squadron

#### Ovda Airbase

* School of Aviation Professions
* Air Force Officers' School
* 115th "Flying Dragon" Squadron (AKA The Red Squadron)