Heyl Ha'Avir Israeli Defence Force / Air Force
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Along with the State of Israel itself, the country's Air Force, Heyl Ha'Avir, celebrated their 60th anniversary during 2008. During the past six decades the IDF/AF grew into the region's most powerful air force. Initially using British, then French and nowadays US supplied equipment, the IDF/AF also operated the indegineous Kfir. Nowadays, the combat element is entirely made up of US equipment. |
The F-16C/D had obvious appeal and when it came to ordering further aircraft of the type, the Block 30 F-16C was the next in service. Some 135 F-16C/D to this standard were delivered. They tend to be used more in air-to-ground taskings than the F-16A/B Netz. In Israeli service, the F-16C/D is known as Barak (Lightning). The aircraft depicted to the right belongs to the Flight Test Center at Tel Nof Air Base, hence the long, instrumented, air data probe in place of the normal pitot tube. Tel Nof, 7 May 2008
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Of course, the F-16C was accompanied by the F-16D, although the latter is
far from just a trainer in the IDF/AF. Also referred to as Barak and
definately not by the often quoted nickname Brakeet (Thunderbolt), the type
is fitted with an enlarged spine containing unspecified avionics from
Israeli origin. Aircraft #074 depicted here is a block 30 and belongs to No.
109 "The Valley" squadron and calls Ramat David Air Base in
Northern Israel its home.
Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
The latest F-16 version to be deployed by Israel is the F-16I. Called Sufa, it is based upon the F-16D Block 50 but incorporates a host of Israeli improvements. Apart from the F-16D's enlarged spine it also has been fitted with conformal fuel tanks geatly increasing its range. The F-16I was procured in place of an extra buy of F-15I's and may be used on long range interdiction missions throughout the region. This aircraft is part of No. 107 "The Knights of the Orange Tail" squadron based at Hatzerim. Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
The tip of the spear of the IDF/AF is still made up by the Boeing F-15 Eagle.
Two classes of Eagle serve in Israel, the air defence variety of course
being the most numerous. To the left is an F-15C from No. 106 "The
Point of the Spear" sq, based at Tel Nof. Its Israeli name is Baz (Falcon).
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
A small number, 25, of the F-15E Strike Eagle derived F-15I Ra'am (Thunder)
were delivered during the second half of the 1990's. Unlike US Air Force
F-15E's, the F-15I were given a desert paint scheme. Operating unit is No.
69 "The Hammers" squadron and the fleet's home base is Hatzerim.
Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
A type which is difficult to replace is the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. Originally
purchased back in the 1960's as an alternative to emabargoed French Mirage
M5J's, the Skyhawks served as ground attack platforms. The same role befell
aircraft ordered in the early Seventies. Nowadays, the Skyhawk's attack role
is being fulfilled by the F-16C but the type still soldiers on in the
advance training role. A-4N #421 wears the badge of No. 102 "Flying
Tigers" sq from Hatzerim. Their Hebrew name is Ahit (Falcon).
Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
Although the type was retired during 2005, the F-4E Phantom still deserves
being mentioned on this page. The Phantom, known as Kurnass (Sledgehammer)
formed the backbone of the IDF/AF throughout the 1970's and 1980's and could
only be retired when sufficient F-15I and F-16I aircraft had been delivered.
Depicted to the right is an aircraft wearing the badge of No. 201 "The
One" squadron. Of note is the flight refuelling probe, which dates back
to the time that the IDF/AF solely had KC-130H Hercules probe and drogue
tankers. Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
Although ab initio training is being done on rather new Grob G.120 piston
powered trainers, the IDF/AF still relies on the Fouga Magister for primary
training. IAI at Tel Aviv-Lod modernised some of the surviving Magisters to
extend their service lives in a programme begun in the first half of the
1980's. Known as Tzukit, the aircraft still serve to this day, although the
gap between them and the ultimate mount for their students is ever growing
wider. The Tzukits fly with the Flying Training School at Hatzerim.
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
Special mission aircraft are important to the IDF as well. It remains
important to be able to look across the borders of Israel's neighbouring
Arab countries. One such asset is the Beech RC-12K. The type, which also
operates with the US Army, is tasked with missions like Signals Intelligence.
Most likely this aeroplane flies with No. 191 sq out of Sde Dov Air Base
near Tel Aviv. The type is known as Zufit (Honeydew).
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
Israel's transport force is equipped with a mix of C-130 Hercules as well as
Boeing 707 derivatives. The Boeings have been used for a number of tasks,
including transport and Airborne Early Warning, although the latter was only
performed for a rather short period of time. The IDF/AF now plans to use its
surviving 707's, known as Re'em (Oryx) in Hebrew exclusively as tankers.
This anonimously marked 707 # 275 is seen here in its tanker guise during a
flypast over Haifa airfield.
Haifa, 8 May 2008 |
The tuition of prospective helicopter pilots is done on the Bell 206. This
light helicopter bears the Hebrew name of Saifan (Avocet). Painted in a high
visibilty white and red colour scheme they make a marked contrast with for
example RAF training helicopters which have been sprayed black for the exact
same reason, visibilty in the air. Hatzerim's FTS also owns these machines. Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
The first attack helicopter to go into Israeli service was the Bell AH-1
Cobra. Of course, a Hebrew name was also issued to the Cobra. As with all
Israeli combat helicopters the AH-1 was given a serpent name, Tzefa (Viper).
Almost the entire Israeli AH-1 fleet, this is an AH-1E, has been
concentrated on Palmachim. This coastal base houses two squadrons. A small
proportion, to which this helicopter belongs, is based at Hatzerim with the
FTS.
Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
Israel's combat helicopter force made the step up to the AH-64 Apache as well.
The IDF operates a mix of AH-64A and AH-64D. The enormous increase in combat
performance and equipment prompted the Israelis to issue different names to
both versions. To the right is an AH-64A belonging to No.190 "The Magic
Touch" squadron from Ramon Air Base. The Hebrew name is Peten (Python).
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008 |
The AH-64D, fitted with the Longbow millimeter wave radar, followed the
AH-64A in service. Known as Saraf (Serpent), this AH-4D flies with No. 113
(The Hornet") sq and like the AH-64A is based at Ramon. Apart from
housing two F-16I squadrons, Ramon is the home for all Israeli Apaches.
Ramat David, 8 May 2008 |
The French Eurocopter AS.565MA Panther forms the rotary wing equipment for
Israel's Sa'ar class corvettes. Shore based at Ramat David, the Panthers ar
known as Atalef (Bat) and operate with No. 193 "The Maritime
Helicopters Squadron". The Panthers actually replaced their stablemate
Dauphin in service as shipborne helicopters during the 1990's.
Haifa, 8 May 2008. |
The Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk, also known as the S.70, took over from the
Bell 212 as the IDF/AF's light transport helicopter. Upon service entry the
Blackhawk as it is known to the world was christened Yanshuf (Owl).
Operating unit of this S.70A-55 is No. 124 "Rolling Sword" sq. Its
home base is Palmachim.
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008. |
Since the retirement of the SA.321K Super Frelon, the Sikorsky CH-53 or S.65
is the IDF/AF's only heavy transport helicopter. Procured in both new built
as well as used US Marines and even Austrian Air Force form, the big
Sikorskies ar known as Yas'ur (Petrel) in Hebrew. In recent years the type
has been given a make-over, so that they can continue service for some more
years. After upgrading their designation now is Yas'ur 2000.
Tel Nof, 7 May 2008. |
As the Grumman E-2C Hawkeye failed to live up
to its reputation in Israel due to its radar system not performing as well
over land as over water and with there also being a requirement for a
Signals Intelligence platform, Israel turned to the Gulfstream 550. A trio
of G.550 Nachson (Pioneer) were ordered to carry the required equipment.
Depicted on the left is one of the three Nachsons. A further trio will be outfitted
with Airborne Early Warning radar systems.
Ramon, 11 May 2008. |
The Israeli Air Force recently retired the
last of the French TB.20 Trinidad (Pashosh = Sparrow) used for communication
and liaison tasks. The French aeroplanes proved to be too delicate for day
to day military use and for this reason a number of Beechcraft Bonanza A36's
were ordered. Bearing the name Hofit (Stint), 24 are being flown by the Heyl Ha'Avir.
Ramat David, 8 May 2008
Clearly, the Israeli Air Force is a force still to be reckoned with, although an all out war with for example Syria seems less and less likely. Much attention therefore is nowadays spent at "assymetrical warfare", i.e. counter terrorist operations requiring precision and timing. The future IDF/AF might see the F-35 Lightning II replacing the oldest F-16's, but this is still way into the future. Thanks go to the IDF/AF Public Relations Department and Mr. Ofer Zidon.
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All pictures (c) Hans Rolink