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| | My name: Cornelius Grimstone<br>My age: 39<br>Country: Belgium<br>Town: Hertsberge <br>Post code: 8020<br>Street: Courtensdreef 326<br><br>My web blog :: [http://safedietsthatwork.webs.com diet plans] |
| {{Infobox military unit
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| | unit_name = Israeli Air Force
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| | image = [[File:Coat of arms of the Israeli Air Force.png]]
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| | caption =
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| | start_date = 28 May 1948
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| | country = {{flagicon|Israel}} [[Israel|State of Israel]]
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| | allegiance =
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| | branch =
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| | type = Air force
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| | role =
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| | size = 34,000 active personnel<br>55,000 reserve personnel<br>736 aircraft
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| | command_structure = [[File:Badge of the Israel Defence Forces.svg|24px]] [[Israel Defense Forces]]
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| | garrison = [[HaKirya]]<br>Tel Aviv, Israel
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| | equipment =
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| | nickname =
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| | motto =
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| | colors =
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| | march =
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| | mascot =
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| | battles =
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| | anniversaries =
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| | decorations =
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| | battle_honours =
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| <!-- Commanders -->
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| | current_commander = [[Aluf]] [[Amir Eshel]]
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| | current_commander_label = Commander
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| | ceremonial_chief =
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| | ceremonial_chief_label =
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| | colonel_of_the_regiment =
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| | notable_commanders =
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| <!-- Insignia -->
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| | identification_symbol = [[File:Israel Air Force Flag.svg|border|150px]]
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| | identification_symbol_label = Air Force Ensign
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| | identification_symbol_2 = [[File:IAF roundel.svg|80px]] [[File:IAF Roundel Low Visibility.svg|60px]]
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| | identification_symbol_2_label = Roundel
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| |identification_symbol_3=[[File:Israeli Air Force Pilot Wings Brevet.gif|200px]]
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| |identification_symbol_3_label=Aviator badge
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| <!-- Aircraft --> | |
| | aircraft_attack = [[Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle|Boeing F-15I Ra'am]]
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| | aircraft_bomber =
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| | aircraft_electronic =
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| | aircraft_fighter = [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle]], [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]]
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| | aircraft_recon = [[IAI Eitam]], [[Beechcraft Super King Air|Beechcraft RC-12D]]
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| | aircraft_patrol = [[IAI Seascan]], [[Eurocopter Panther]]
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| | aircraft_trainer = [[Grob G-120]], [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]], [[McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]], [[Beechcraft Super King Air | Beechcraft C-12 Huron]], [[Bell 206]]
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| | aircraft_transport = [[Boeing 707|Boeing 707-320]], [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]], [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion]], [[Sikorsky S-70]]
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| | aircraft_tanker = [[Lockheed KC-130|Lockheed KC-130 Hercules]], [[Boeing 707|Boeing KC-707]]}}
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| The '''Israeli Air Force''' ('''IAF'''; [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]]: זרוע האוויר והחלל, ''Zroa HaAvir VeHahalal'', "Air and Space Arm", commonly known as חיל האוויר, ''Kheil HaAvir'', "Air Corps") ({{lang-ar |سلاح الجو الإسرائيلي}}) is the [[aerial warfare]] branch of the [[Israel Defense Forces]]. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence]]. {{As of|2012|05|alt=As of May 2012}}, the Air Force Commander is [[Aluf]] [[Amir Eshel]].
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| ==Mission statement==
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| The Israeli Air Force states the following as its functions:<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.iaf.org.il/34-en/IAF.aspx|title= About the IAF – Mission Statement | accessdate =October 12, 2011|publisher=Israeli Air Force}}</ref>
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| #To protect the State of Israel from aerial attack and to defend the IDF's zone of operations
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| #To achieve air supremacy throughout the IDF's zone of operation
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| #To participate in the fighting on both ground and sea
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| #To hit targets deep in enemy territory
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| #To create the aerial intelligence picture and participate in the creation of the general intelligence picture and its assessment
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| #To transport troops, equipment and weapons systems
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| #To carry out search, rescue and aerial evacuation missions
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| #To execute special operations
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| #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
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| ==Insignia==
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| The [[insignia]]/[[roundel]] of the Israeli Air Force is a blue [[Star of David]] on a white circle. This is usually painted in six positions – on the top and bottom of each wing, and each side of the fuselage. Squadron markings are usually carried on the tail fin.
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| ==History==
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| {{main |History of the Israeli Air Force}}
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| ===Early years (1948–1967)===
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| [[File:AviaS199Israel.png|thumb|[[Avia S-199]]]]
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| The forerunners of the Israeli Air Force were the Palestine Flying Service established by the [[Irgun]] in 1937, and [[Sherut Avir]], the air wing of the [[Haganah]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.machal.org.il/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=413&Itemid=708&lang=en | title = The Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the War of Independence | place = [[Israel |IL]] | publisher = Machal}}.</ref> The Israeli Air Force was formed on May 28, 1948, shortly after Israel declared statehood and found itself under [[1948 Arab–Israeli War|attack]]. It consisted of a hodge-podge of commandeered or donated civilian aircraft converted to military use. A variety of obsolete and surplus ex-World War II combat aircraft were quickly sourced by various means to supplement this fleet. The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 [[Avia S-199]]s (purchased from [[Czechoslovakia]], essentially Czechoslovak-built [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]s) and 62 [[Supermarine Spitfire]] LF Mk IXEs (also purchased from [[Czechoslovakia]]). Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries). Many of the first IAF's pilots in 1948 were [[Mahal (Israel)|foreign volunteers]] (both Jewish and non-Jewish) and World War II veterans, who wanted to collaborate with Israel's struggle for independence.
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| Israel's new fighter arm first went into action on May 29, 1948, assisting the efforts to halt the Egyptian advance from [[Gaza]] northwards. Four newly arrived Avia S-199s, flown by Lou Lenart, [[Modi Alon]], [[Ezer Weizman]] and Eddie Cohen, struck Egyptian forces near [[Isdud]]. Although damage to the enemy was minimal, two aircraft were lost and Cohen killed, the attack achieved its goal and the Egyptians were stopped. The Israeli Air Force scored its first aerial victories on June 3, when Modi Alon, flying Avia D.112, shot down two Egyptian Air Force [[DC-3]]s which had just bombed [[Tel Aviv]]. The first dogfight against enemy fighters took place a few days later, on June 8, when Gideon Lichtaman shot down an Egyptian [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire]].<ref>{{cite web| contribution-url= http://aces.safarikovi.org/victories/victories-israel.html | title = Aces | contribution = Attributed Israeli Air Combat Victories |publisher= Safarikovi | accessdate = September 8, 2011}}</ref> As the war progressed more and more aircraft were procured, including [[B-17 Flying Fortress|Boeing B-17s]], [[Bristol Beaufighter]]s, [[de Havilland Mosquito]]es and [[P-51 Mustang| P-51D Mustangs]], leading to a shift in the balance of power.
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| [[File:Meteor IAF 1954.jpg|thumb|[[Gloster Meteor]]]]
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| ===Suez Crisis (1956)===
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| The Israeli Air Force played an important part in [[Operation Kadesh]], Israel's part in the 1956 [[Suez Crisis]]. At the launch of the operation, on October 29, Israeli [[P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustangs]] severed telephone lines in the [[Sinai]], some using their propellor blades,{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | page = 125}} while 16 IAF [[DC-3]]s escorted by fighters dropped Israeli paratroopers behind Egyptian lines at the Mitla Pass and Et-Tur. The Israeli Air Force also conducted attacks on Egyptian ground units and assisted the Israeli Navy in capturing an Egyptian warship that bombarded the Israeli city of Haifa – an airstrike damaged the Egyptian ship's engines, enabling Israeli ships to reach it and capture it.
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| ===Six-Day War (1967)===
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| In three hours on the morning of June 5, 1967, the first day of the [[Six-Day War]], the Israeli Air Force executed [[Operation Focus]], crippling the opposing Arab air forces and attaining air supremacy for the remainder of the war. In a surprise attack, the IAF destroyed most of the [[Egyptian Air Force]] while its planes were still on the ground. By the end of the day, with surrounding Arab countries also drawn into the fighting, the IAF had mauled the [[Syrian Air Force| Syrian]] and [[Jordanian Air Force | Jordanian]] air forces as well, striking as far as [[Iraq]]. After six days of fighting Israel claimed a total of 452 Arab aircraft destroyed, of which 49 were aerial victories.
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| [[File:Mirage3.jpg|thumb|right|[[Mirage IIIC]] at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum]] in Hatzerim. A veteran of fighting during the 1960s and 1970s, the aircraft bears 13 victory markings]]
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| ===War of Attrition===
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| Shortly after the end of the [[Six-Day War]], Egypt initiated the [[War of Attrition]], hoping to prevent Israel from consolidating its hold over the lands captured in 1967. Israel's goal in the fighting was to exact heavy losses on the opposing side, in order to facilitate a ceasefire. The Israeli Air Force consequently undertook repeated bombings of strategic targets deep within enemy territory and repeatedly challenged Arab air forces for aerial supremacy, all the while supporting operations by Israel's ground and naval forces. In late 1969 the Soviet Union began to deploy fighter aircraft units and surface-to-air missile units to Egypt. The Soviet surface-to-air missile units soon joined their Egyptian allies in direct confrontations with Israeli aircraft. Soviet fighters conducted patrols but Israeli pilots were ordered not to engage them. However, on July 30, 1970, the tension peaked: An IAF ambush resulted in a [[Operation Rimon 20|large scale air brawl]] between IAF planes and MiGs flown by Soviet pilots—five [[MiG]]s were shot down, while the IAF suffered no losses. Fear of further escalation and superpower involvement brought the war to a conclusion. By the end of August 1970, the Israeli Air Force had claimed 111 aerial kills while reporting losing only four aircraft to Arab fighters. Egyptian and Soviet forces claimed to shoot down approximately 20 Israeli Air Force planes with surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units.
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| === Yom Kippur War (1973) ===
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| [[File:Israeli A4 Hazterim 260608 2.JPG|thumb|[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4N Skyhawk]]]]
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| On October 6, 1973, with war imminent, the IAF begun preparing for a pre-emptive strike against Egyptian and Syrian airfields and anti-aircraft positions. The Israeli government, however, decided against pre-emption.{{Sfn |Norton | 2004 | p = 36}} IAF aircraft were therefore in the process of re-armament to the air-to-air role when [[Yom Kippur War]] hostilities began at 14:00.{{Sfn | Aloni | Avidror | 2010 | p = 130}} The next morning begun with [[Operation Tagar|Operation ''Tagar'']], a SEAD offensive against Egyptian air defences, beginning with strikes against Egyptian air bases. ''Tagar'', however, was quickly discontinued when the dire situation on the [[Golan Heights]] became apparent. IAF efforts were redirected north, where the ill-fated [[Operation Model 5|Operation ''Doogman 5'']] was carried out. Flying with outdated intelligence and no electronic screening against mobile SAM batteries and heavy flak, 6 IAF Phantoms were lost.{{Sfn | Aloni | Avidror | 2010 | pp = 130–34}} The sustained campaign required to defeat enemy air defences was abandoned in the face of Egyptian and Syrian advances and the IAF was forced to operate under the SAM threat. Nevertheless, the close air support it provided allowed Israeli troops on the ground to stem the tide and eventually go on the offensive, first in the north and later in the south.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | pp = 38–39}}{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001 | pp = 83–87}}
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| After the failure of the Israeli counter-offensive in the Sinai on October 8, the southern front remained relatively static and the IAF focused its attention on the Syrian front.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001 | pp = 83–87}} While A-4 Skyhawks provided much needed support to troops on the ground, at the cost of 31 aircraft by the end of fourth day of the war,{{Sfn |Aloni | 2009 | p = 48}} IAF Phantoms repeatedly struck Syrian air fields.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004 | pp = 37–45}} Following Syrian [[FROG-7]] strikes on military and civilian targets in northern Israel, the IAF also initiated a campaign to destroy the infrastructure on which Syria's war-making capacity depended, targeting strategic targets in Syria such as its oil industry and electricity generating system.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004 | p = 41}} By October 13 the Syrians had been pushed back and beyond their initial lines, Damascus had come within range of Israeli artillery and an Iraqi armored brigade, the vanguard of its expeditionary force, was destroyed.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004 | p = 44}}
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| [[File:F-4E Tel Noft 160413 02.jpg|thumb|[[201 Squadron (Israel)|201 Squadron]] IAF F-4E Phantom II with 3 kill markings]]
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| On October 14 the Egyptian army launched an offensive along the entire front, but was repulsed by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]. Israel followed on this success by attacking at the seam between the 2nd and 3rd Egyptian armies and crossing the [[Suez Canal]] into Egypt. Israeli forces fanned north and south, destroying Egyptian rear units and [[1973 raid on Egyptian missile bases|punching holes]] through its air defence array. This allowed the IAF the freedom of action it was previously denied and renewed attacks led to the collapse of the [[Egyptian Air Defense Command|Egyptian Air Defence Force]]. This prompted increased diplomatic activity to resolve the war, coupled with increased activity by the [[Egyptian Air Force]]. From about October 18 to the end of the war, intensive air battles took place between Israeli and Egyptian aircraft.{{Sfn | Aloni | 2001 | pp = 83–87}}{{Sfn | Aloni | 2004 | p = 68}}
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| Official Israeli Air Force losses of the Yom Kippur War number at 102 aircraft, including 32 F-4 Phantoms, 53 A-4 Skyhawks, 11 Dassault Mirages, and 6 [[Dassault Super Mystere |IAI Sa'ars]], although other accounts suggest as many as 128 Israeli aircraft were lost.{{Sfn | Nordeen | 1990 | p = 146}}{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}} 91 air force personnel, of which 53 were airmen, were killed. 172 Egyptian aircraft were shot down in air-to-air combat, for a loss of between 5 and 21 for the Israelis (on all fronts).{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}}{{Sfn | Dunstan | 2003 | p = 39}} No official numbers were released on the Arab side, though total Egyptian losses were between 235 and 242 aircraft, while Syria lost between 135 and 179.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 40}}{{Sfn | Franken | Van Der Avoort | 2012}}
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| ===Expansion (1973–1982)===
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| Since the 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]], which were unauthorised derivatives of the French [[Dassault Mirage 5]]. The Kfir was adapted to utilize a more powerful U.S. engine, produced under license in Israel. On July 4, 1976, four Israeli [[C-130 Hercules]] transport aircraft secretly flew to Entebbe Airport for a [[Operation Entebbe|rescue operation]]. In March 1978, the Israeli Air Force participated in [[Operation Litani]].
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| 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. Among the pilots that took part in the attack was the late Colonel [[Ilan Ramon]], Israel's first [[astronaut]].
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| ===1982 Lebanon War and aftermath===
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| [[File:F16Netz107pic003.jpg|thumb|Israeli Air Force [[F-16 Fighting Falcon|F-16A]] Netz #107 with 7.5 kill markings, including one for [[Operation Opera]], a world record for a single F-16]]
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| Prior to the [[1982 Lebanon War]], Syria, with the help of the [[Soviet Union]], had built up an overlapping network of surface-to-air missiles in [[Lebanon]]'s [[Beqaa Valley]]. On June 9, 1982, the Israeli Air Force carried out [[Operation Mole Cricket 19]], crippling the Syrian air defence array. In subsequent aerial battles against the [[Syrian Air Force]], the IAF managed to shoot down 86 Syrian aircraft without losing a single fighter plane in an air to air combat. IAF [[AH-1 Cobra]] [[helicopter gunship]]s destroyed dozens of Syrian [[armored fighting vehicle]]s and other ground targets, including some [[T-72]] [[main battle tank]]s.
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| For many years after the war's official end, and throughout Israeli [[South Lebanon conflict (1982–2000)|presence]] in Lebanon, the IAF continued to mount attacks on [[Hezbollah]] and [[PLO]] positions in south [[Lebanon]]. On October 1, 1985, In response to a [[Palestinian Liberation Organization|PLO]] [[Terrorism|terrorist attack]] which murdered three Israeli civilians in [[Cyprus]], the Israeli air force carried out [[Operation Wooden Leg]]. The strike involved the bombing of [[Palestinian Liberation Organization|PLO]] Headquarters in [[Tunis]], by F-15 Eagles. This was the longest combat mission ever undertaken by the IAF, a stretch of 2,300 kilometers, involving in-flight refueling by an IAF [[Boeing 707]]. As a result, PLO headquarters and barracks were either destroyed or damaged.
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| ===1990s and beyond===
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| [[File:Two F-15I Ra'am.JPEG|thumb|69 Squadron [[F-15I|F-15I Ra'ams]] at Red Flag 04-3]]
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| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Israeli Apache helicopter overlooks the Greek hills.jpg|thumb|Israeli [[Boeing AH-64 Apache#Israel|AH-64D ''Saraph'']] during an exercise with the [[Hellenic Air Force]].]]
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| [[File:Israeli Air Force jets Fly-over Auschwitz concentration camp.jpg|thumbnail|right|Israeli Air Force F-15s over Auschwitz. September 3, 2003]]
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| Many of the IAF's electronics and weapons systems are developed and built in Israel by [[Israel Military Industries]], [[Israel Aerospace Industries]], [[Elbit Systems | Elbit]], and others. Since the 1990s, the IAF has upgraded most of its aircraft with advanced Israeli-made systems, improving their performances. In 1990 the IAF began receiving the [[AH-64 Apache]] helicopter gunship and started equipping its aircraft with the [[Rafael Python 5#Python 4|Rafael Python 4]], [[Popeye missile| Popeye]], and [[Derby (missile)|Derby missiles]].
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| During the first [[Gulf War]] of 1991, Israel was attacked by Iraqi Scud missiles. Israeli Air Force pilots were on constant stand-by in their cockpits throughout the conflict, ready to fly to Iraq to retaliate. Diplomatic pressure as well as denial of [[Identification friend or foe|IFF]] transponder codes from the United States, however, kept the IAF grounded while Coalition air assets and Patriot missile batteries supplied by the US and the Netherlands sought to deal with the Scuds.
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| In 1991, the IAF carried out [[Operation Solomon]] which brought [[Beta Israel|Ethiopian Jews]] to Israel. In 1993 and 1996, the IAF participated in [[Operation Accountability]] and [[Operation Grapes of Wrath]], respectively.
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| In the late 1990s, the IAF began acquiring the [[F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15I|F-15I]] Ra'am (Thunder) and the [[F-16I]] Sufa (Storm), manufactured specially for Israel according to IAF requirements. The first of 102 F-16I Sufas arrived in April 2004 joining an F-16 fleet that had already been the largest outside the US Air Force. The IAF also purchased the advanced Israeli air-to-air missile [[Rafael Python 5#Python 5 | Rafael Python 5]], with full-sphere capability, as well as a special version of the [[AH-64 Apache|Apache Longbow]], designated AH-64DI or [[Saraph]]. In 2005 the Israeli Air Force received modified Gulfstream V jets ("Nachshon"), equipped with advanced intelligence systems made by [[Israel Military Industries]].
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| The Israeli Air Force took an extensive part in IDF operations during the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]], including the controversial [[targeted killing]]s of Palestinian militant leaders, most notably [[Salah Shakhade]], [[Ahmed Yassin]] and [[Abed al-Aziz Rantissi]]. While this policy was criticized due to the [[collateral damage]] caused in certain instances, Israel claims it is vital in its fight against terrorism and that IAF pilots do whatever they can to avoid civilian casualties, including aborting strikes. In 2007, Israel achieved a [[civilian casualty ratio]] of 1:30, or one civilian casualty for every thirty combatant casualties, in [[Israeli targeted killings | its airstrikes on militants in the Palestinian territories]].<ref name=pin>{{cite web|first=Amos|last=Harel|url= http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/pinpoint-attacks-on-gaza-more-precise-1.236163 | title= Pinpoint attacks on Gaza more precise| work = Haaretz| date= December 30, 2007| accessdate = October 11, 2011}}</ref> [[Alan Dershowitz]] noted that "No army in history has ever had a better ratio of combatants to civilians killed in a comparable setting".<ref name= dersh>{{cite news | url = http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-dershowitz/targeted-killing-is-worki_b_79616.html,|title=Targeted Killing Is Working, So Why Is The Press Not Reporting It? | last = Dershowitz|first=Alan|date=January 3, 2008|work=[[The Huffington Post]]}}</ref>
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| On October 5, 2003, the Israeli Air Force [[Ain es Saheb airstrike|attacked]] an alleged Palestinian militant training camp in Ain es Saheb, Syria.
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| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - IAF Bombs Katyusha Rocket Launchers.jpg|thumb|left|upright|IAF bombs a Hezbollah rocket launcher]]
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| ===2006 Lebanon War===
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| The IAF played a critical role in the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. IAF strikes—mainly, though not exclusively, in [[southern Lebanon]]—were aimed at stopping rocket launches by [[Hezbollah]]'s militia targeting Israeli towns. The IAF flew more than 12,000 combat missions during this war. The most notable, taking place during the second day of the war, resulted in the IAF destroying 59 [[Iran]]ian-supplied medium- and long-range [[Transporter erector launcher| missile launchers]] in just 34 minutes.<ref>{{cite web |last=Benn |first=Aluf|date=October 24, 2006 |url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/778485.html |title=Report: IAF wiped out 59 Iranian missile launchers in 34 minutes | work= Haaretz | location= Israel | accessdate = September 8, 2011}}</ref> [[International reactions to the 2006 Qana airstrike | Widespread condemnation]] followed the July 30 [[Qana airstrike|IAF airstrike]] on a building suspected to be a militant hideout near the village of Qana, in which 28 civilians were killed. [[Hezbollah]] shot down an IAF [[CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Yas'ur]] helicopter on the last day of the war, killing five crew members.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=233506|title=Security and Defense: Coordinating capabilities| work = The Jerusalem Post|date= August 12, 2011 |accessdate = August 12, 2011|first=Yaacov|last=Katz}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2006/08/22/208558/israel-studies-ch-53-shoot-down.html|title = Israel studies CH-53 shoot-down|publisher=Flight global|date=August 6, 2006 |accessdate=August 12, 2011|first= Arie|last= Egozi}}</ref> Israeli aircraft also shot down three of Hezbollah's [[Iran]]ian-made<ref>{{cite web|first1= Ze'ev|last1= Schiff|first2= Yoav|last2= Stern|url = http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=499935&contrassID=1&subContrassID=5&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y | title= Report: Iran admits to supplying Hezbollah with drones| work= Haaretz | location = [[Israel |IL]] | accessdate = September 8, 2011 | date = November 10, 2004}}</ref> aerial [[Unmanned aerial vehicle| drones]] during the conflict.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,207259,00.html | publisher= Fox | newspaper = News | title = Israeli Airstrikes Target Hezbollah in Southern Lebanon | date = August 7, 2006}}</ref>
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| ===Activities 2007–2013===
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| On September 6, 2007, the Israeli Air Force successfully bombed an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor in [[Operation Orchard]].<ref name="Sunday Times Sep-16">{{cite news | first = Uzi |last= Mahnaimi |title= Israelis ‘blew apart Syrian nuclear cache’| url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article2461421.ece | newspaper = The Sunday Times |date=2007-09-16 |accessdate=2008-07-13 | location= London}}</ref>
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| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - IAF Flight for Israel's 63rd Independence Day (1).jpg|thumb|119 Squadron [[F-16 Fighting Falcon variants#F-16I Sufa| F-16Is]], [[Yom Ha'atzmaut|Independence Day]] 2011]] The Israel Air Force spearheaded [[Operation Cast Lead]] (2008–2009), carrying out more than 2,360 air strikes. It had a principal role in destroying [[Hamas]] targets, though civilian casualties and damage to civilian facilities and infrastructure in the Gaza Strip led human rights groups to accuse Israel of war crimes.<ref name=Sengupta1501>{{Cite news| title= Civilian casualties: Human rights groups accuse Israelis of war crimes| last1= Macintyre | first1 = Donald |last2=Sengupta |first2= Kim|date= January 15, 2009|url= http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/civilian-casualties-human-rights-groups-accuse-israelis-of-war-crimes-1366727.html|work=The Independent|location=London}}</ref> Israel claimed that some locations were used to launch rockets at Israel.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/11/14/idf-hamas-rocket-launch-site-at-center-of-civilian-population/ | title = IDF: Hamas Rocket Launch Site at Center of Civilian Population | date = 2012 Nov 14 | newspaper = Algemeiner}}.</ref> The IAF also killed several senior Hamas commanders including [[Said Seyam]],<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/profile-slain-hamas-minister-was-key-figure-in-07-gaza-coup-1.268241 | type = profile | title = Slain Hamas minister was key figure in '07 Gaza coup | newspaper = Ha’aretz}}.</ref> [[Nizar Rayan]],<ref name="ICT0209">{{cite news|url= http://www.ict.org.il/Articles/tabid/66/Articlsid/590/currentpage/1/ |title=The Mujaheed Sheikh – Dr. Nizar Rayyan The Spiritual Mentor of Iz A-Din Al Qassam Brigades|last= Fighel |first= Jonathan |date= February 1, 2009 | publisher=[[International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism]]|accessdate=May 31, 2009}}</ref> [[Tawfik Jaber]],<ref>{{Citation | newspaper = Israel national news | url = http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/129062 | title = Peres: 'Anyone Asking Israel to Stop Shooting, Change Address'}}.</ref> and [[Abu Zakaria al-Jamal]].<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.eagleworldnews.com/2009/01/03/hamas-commander-abu-zakaria-al-jamal-killed/ | title = Hamas Commander Abu Zakaria al-Jamal Killed | newspaper = Eagle World News | date = January 3, 2009}}.</ref>
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| According to a [[CBS News|CBS news]] report, in January 2009 Israeli planes [[2009 Sudan air raids|struck a convoy of trucks]] in Sudan headed for [[Egypt]] and carrying weapons apparently meant for the [[Gaza Strip]]. Seventeen trucks were bombed and thirty-nine smugglers were killed in the strike.<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3692507,00.html |title= Report: IAF struck arms convoy in Sudan in January| date= March 26, 2009| work = Ynet| accessdate = March 26, 2009}}</ref> On April 5, 2011, a car driving from [[Port Sudan Airport]] to [[Port Sudan]] was [[2009 Sudan airstrikes#Further strikes| destroyed]] by a missile. Both passengers were killed and one of the passengers may have been a senior military commander of Hamas. The Sudanese Foreign Minister blamed the attack on Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/04/06/us-sudan-strike-idUSTRE73523V20110406|title=Sudan accuses Israel of attack near main port city | date =April 6, 2011|first1=Deepa|last1=Babington|first2=Khaled|last2=Abdelaziz|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> Sudanese newspapers reported that Israeli aircraft attacked Gaza-bound arms convoys again in late 2011.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/reports-in-sudan-israel-struck-two-weapons-convoys-in-past-month-1.403521 | title = Reports in Sudan: Israel struck two weapons convoys in past month | newspaper = Ha’aretz}}.</ref> On October 24, 2012, Sudan claimed that Israel had [[Yarmouk munitions factory explosion|bombed a munitions factory]] south of Khartoum.<ref name="aj25">{{cite news |url= http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 October 2012 |accessdate=25 October 2012 |title=Khartoum fire blamed on Israeli bombing}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html | title= Israeli jets 'bombed weapons factory in Khartoum', Sudan claims |date= 24 Oct 2012|accessdate= 20 November 2012| publisher= The Daily Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title= Israeli Sudanese factory secret war | date = 2010 Oct 25 | url = http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war | newspaper = The Guardian | place = [[United Kingdom |UK]]}}.</ref>
| |
| | |
| The Israeli Air Force also operates surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery units. These have all participated in the wars and have shot down a number of Arab aircraft. Since 1990 their major role has been interception of surface-to-surface missiles and rockets fired into Israel. In 2011 the IAF began operating the '[[Iron Dome]]' anti-rocket missile system, which within a year had successfully intercepted and destroyed 93 rockets fired at Israeli towns from Gaza.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.idf.il/1283-15558-en/Dover.aspx | title = IDF | place = [[Israel |IL]]}}.</ref>
| |
| | |
| In November 2012, the IAF participated in [[Operation Pillar of Defense]], during which, according to the [[IDF Spokesperson]], Israeli forces targeted more than 1,500 military sites in Gaza Strip, including rocket launching pads, smuggling tunnels, command centers, and weapons manufacturing and storage buildings. Many of these attacks were carried out by the Air Force.<ref name= "IdfOfficialSummary">{{cite web| url= http://www.idfblog.com/2012/11/22/operation-pillar-of-defense-summary-of-events/ | title = Operation Pillar of Defense: Summary of Events|publisher= IDF |date=2012-11-22 | type = [[World Wide Web]] log | accessdate= 2012-11-24}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| On January 30, 2013, Israeli aircraft allegedly [[January 2013 Israeli airstrike in Syria|struck]] a Syrian convoy transporting weapons to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news | title = Israel strikes Syrian weapons en route to Hezbollah | url = http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301562 | work = The Jerusalem Post | date = January 30, 2013}}</ref> Other sources stated the targeted site was a [[Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center|military research center]] in [[Jamraya]] responsible for developing biological and chemical weapons.<ref>{{cite news | title = Analysis: Syria center long been on Israel’s radar | url = http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301599 | work = The Jerusalem Post | date = January 31, 2013}}</ref> Two additional [[May 2013 Israeli airstrikes in Syria | air strikes]] reportedly took place on May 3 and 5, 2013. Both targeted long-ranged weapons in transit through Syria from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news | title = IAF strike in Syria targeted arms from Iran | url = http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Report-IAF-strike-in-Syria-targeted-arms-coming-from-Iran-312036 | work = The Jerusalem Post | date = May 4, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title= Israel overnight strike targeted Iranian missile shipment meant for Hezbollah | first = Gili| last = Cohen| date = May 5, 2013 | newspaper = Ha'aretz | accessdate = May 5, 2013| url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-overnight-strike-targeted-iranian-missile-shipment-meant-for-hezbollah-1.519224}}</ref> According to anonymous U.S. officials, Israel launched [[July 2013 Latakia airstrike|another airstrike on 5 July]]. It targeted Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles near the city of [[Latakia]], and killed several Syrian troops.<ref>{{cite news|title= Report: Israel behind recent strike on Syria missile depot, US officials say |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israel-behind-recent-strike-on-syria-missile-depot-u-s-officials-say-1.535502 |newspaper=Haaretz|date= 12 July 2013}}</ref>
| |
| | |
| ==Organization==
| |
| {{see also|List of Israeli Air Force aircraft squadrons}}
| |
| | |
| {| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" align="center" width="100%"
| |
| |-
| |
| !Order of Battle
| |
| |-----
| |
| |<center>[[File:IDF Air Force.png|1000px]]</center>
| |
| |-----
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| [[File:IAF Bases Map en.png|thumb|Israeli Air Force air bases]]
| |
| [[File:Israeli Air Force, UH-60 Black Hawk.jpg|thumb|[[UH-60 Blackhawk]] landing in the desert]]
| |
| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - The Cobra Helicopter Makes a Splash.jpg|thumb|[[AH-1 Cobra#Israel|AH-1 ''Tzefa'']]]]
| |
| [[File:Dargot 28062011 707 Refueling.jpg|thumb|IAF Boeing 707 refueling F-15s]]
| |
| [[File:Love is in the Air - Flickr - Israel Defense Forces.jpg|thumb|201 Squadron F-16I and 103 Squadron C-130 at the 2010 Kecskemét International [[Air Show]], Hungary]]
| |
| | |
| ===Administrative organization===
| |
| *Chief of Air Staff Group
| |
| *Fixed Wing Group
| |
| *Helicopter Group
| |
| *[[Air Intelligence Group|Intelligence Group]]
| |
| <!-- ** [[Technical Service for Intelligence Unit (VISINT unit)]] -->
| |
| *Equipment Group
| |
| <!-- ** [[Unit 22 - Air Maintenance Unit]]
| |
| **Unit "Ofeq" (Horizon, Air Force C4I) -->
| |
| *Manpower Group
| |
| *Chief Medical Officer
| |
| <!-- ** Air Medicine Unit -->
| |
| *Unit Control Group
| |
| *Air Special Forces Group
| |
| **[[Shaldag Unit|''Shaldag'']] – air force special operations unit
| |
| **[[Unit 669]] – [[medevac]] extraction unit
| |
| *[[Israeli Air Defense Command|Air Defense Command]]
| |
| **Northern Air Defense Regiment
| |
| **Central Air Defense Regiment
| |
| **Southern Air Defense Regiment (including Air Defense School)
| |
| | |
| === Operational organization ===
| |
| *[[Ramat David Airbase]] (Wing 1)
| |
| **[[109 Squadron (Israel)|109 "Valley" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[110 Squadron (Israel)|110 "Knights of North Squadron" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[117 Squadron (Israel)|117 "First Jet" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[193 Squadron (Israel)|193 "Defenders of the West" Squadron]]
| |
| *[[Sdot Micha Airbase]] (Wing 2)
| |
| **150 Squadron
| |
| **199 Squadron
| |
| **248 Squadron
| |
| * [[Hatzor Airbase]] (Wing 4)
| |
| **[[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 "First Combat" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[105 Squadron (Israel)|105 "Scorpion" Squadron]]
| |
| *[[Hatzerim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 6)
| |
| **[[69 Squadron (Israel)|69 "Hammers" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[102 Squadron (Israel)|102 "Flying Tiger" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[IAF Aerobatic Team]]
| |
| **[[107 Squadron (Israel)|107 "Knights of the Orange Tail" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[123 Squadron (Israel)|123 "Desert Birds" Squadron]]
| |
| **Air Force Infantry School
| |
| *[[Tel Nof Airbase]] (Air Force Base 8)
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| **[[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 "Spearhead" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 "Night Leaders" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 "Nocturnal Birds of Prey" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 "Knight of the Twin Tail" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 "Eitan" Squadron]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/12/21/iaf-opens-new-eitan-uav-squadron-to-operational-use-21-december-2010/ | title = IAF Opens New "Eitan" UAV Squadron to Operational Use, 21 December 2010 | publisher = Israel Defense Forces | date= December 21, 2010 | accessdate = September 8, 2011}}</ref>
| |
| **[[601 Squadron (Israel)|601 Squadron]] (Flight Test Center)
| |
| **Unit 555 "Sky Crows" (electronic warfare unit)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/Article.aspx?id=189617|title=And they struck them with blindness |last=Katz|first=Yaakov|date=September 29, 2010|accessdate=September 29, 2010| work = The Jerusalem Post}}</ref>
| |
| *[[Ovda International Airport|Ovda Airbase]] (Air Force Base 10)
| |
| **[[115 Squadron (Israel)|115 "Flying Dragon" Squadron]]
| |
| ** Aviation Professions School
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| ** Air Force Officers School
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| *[[Sde Dov Airport|Sde Dov Airbase]] (Wing 15)
| |
| **[[100 Squadron (Israel)|100 "Flying Camel" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[135 Squadron (Israel)|135 "Kings of the Air" Squadron]]
| |
| **249 "Elad" Squadron<ref name="ff">{{cite web| language = Hebrew | url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4368-36736-he/IAF.aspx |title= אתר חיל-האוויר | trans_title = Site Force – Air | publisher= IAF |accessdate=September 8, 2011}}</ref><ref name=fff>{{cite web|last=Blumenkrantz |first= Zohar |url = http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-s-new-squadron-of-fire-fighting-planes-is-now-ready-for-action-1.358236 |title=Israel's new squadron of fire-fighting planes is now ready for action |work=Haaretz | location = [[Israel |IL]] |date=December 3, 2010 |accessdate=September 8, 2011}}</ref>
| |
| *[[Haifa Airport|Haifa Airbase]] (Air Force Base 21)
| |
| **Technical Professions School
| |
| **IAF Technological College
| |
| *[[Ramon Airbase]] (Wing 25)
| |
| **[[113 Squadron (Israel)|113 "Hornet" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 "Bat" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[190 Squadron (Israel)|190 "Magic Touch" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[201 Squadron (Israel)|201 "The One" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[253 Squadron (Israel)|253 "Negev" Squadron]]
| |
| *[[Nevatim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 28)
| |
| **[[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 "Elephants" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 "Defenders of the South" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[120 Squadron (Israel)|120 "Desert Giants" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[122 Squadron (Israel)|122 "Nahshon" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[131 Squadron (Israel)|131 "Knights of the Yellow Bird" Squadron]]
| |
| *[[Palmachim Airbase]] (Air Force Base 30)
| |
| **[[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 "Rolling Sword" Squadron]]
| |
| **151 Squadron (Missile Testing Squadron)
| |
| **[[161 Squadron (Israel)|161 "Black Snake" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[166 Squadron (Israel)|166 "Spark" Squadron]]
| |
| **[[200 Squadron (Israel)|200 "First UAV" Squadron]]
| |
| | |
| ==Aircraft==
| |
| | |
| ===Current===
| |
| <div id="legend" />
| |
| :;''Note that multiple sources provide different figures:''
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:26%;"|Aircraft
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:13%;"|Origin
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:15%;"|Type
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:19%;"|Versions
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:9%;"|In Service <br /><small>(INSS)</small>
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:9%;"|In Service <br /><small>(Flight Global)</small>
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:19%;"|In Service <br /><small>(IISS)</small>
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Fighter aircraft]]'''
| |
| |-
| |
| | rowspan = "4"| [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle | Boeing F-15 Eagle]] ||rowspan="4"| {{USA}} ||rowspan="4"| air superiority fighter || F-15A "Baz" || rowspan="4"| <math>\Bigg\}</math> 52<ref name = "INSS">{{Citation | url = http://www.inss.org.il/upload/(FILE)1336472780.pdf | publisher = The Institute for National Security | title = Studies | chapter = Israel | year = 2012 | date = May 8, 2012 | format = [[Portable document format |PDF]]}}.</ref>||rowspan= "2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 42<ref name = "milicas">{{cite web|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/world-air-forces-2014-108161.aspx | publisher = Flight global | title = World Air Forces 2014 |work= Flight International | date= December 5, 2013 |accessdate= December 6, 2013}}</ref> || 16<ref name= "IISS">{{Citation | title = The Military Balance 2013 | page = 381 | publisher = [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] | date = March 14, 2013}}.</ref>
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-15C "Baz" || 17<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-15B "Baz" ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 16<ref name="milicas"/> || 6<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-15D "Baz" || 11<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle | Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle]] || {{USA}} || strike fighter || F-15I "Ra'am" ||25<ref name= "INSS" /> || 25<ref name = "milicas" /> || 25<ref name = "IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | rowspan = "5"| [[General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon]] ||rowspan="5"| {{USA}} ||rowspan="5"| mulitirole fighter || F-16A "Netz" ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 107<ref name="INSS"/> ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 63<ref name="milicas"/><ref name="f16-325"/> || 77<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-16B "Netz" || 16<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-16C "Barak" ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 136<ref name="INSS"/> || 77<ref name="milicas"/><ref name="f16-325">{{cite web|url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paint-flakes-ground-israeli-f-16-fighters-374828/ | publisher = Flight global | title = MiliCAS | type = database | work= Flight International | date = July 27, 2012 |accessdate= July 27, 2012}} Shows the Israeli air force has an active fleet of 325 F-16s, including 126 General Electric F110-100-powered C/D examples.</ref> || 78<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-16D "Barak" || 49<ref name="milicas"/><ref name="f16-325"/> || 49<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |F-16I "Sufa" || 100<ref name="INSS"/> || 99<ref name="milicas"/> || 100<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Trainer aircraft]]'''
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[Grob G-120]] || {{GER}} || trainer aircraft ||G-120AI "Snunit" || 27<ref name="INSS"/> || 17<ref name=milicas/> || 17<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Beechcraft T-6 Texan II]] || {{USA}} || trainer aircraft || T-6A "Efroni" || 19<ref name="INSS"/> || 20<ref name=milicas/> || 20<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk]] || {{USA}} || ground attack / trainer|| A-4N, TA-4H/J "Ayit" || 20<ref name="INSS"/> || 20<ref name=trainers>{{cite web|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/in-focus-israels-m-346-selection-fires-up-tor-joint-venture-368945/ | title = Israel's M-346 selection fires up TOR joint venture | last=Arie Egozi|work=Flight International |accessdate=March 12, 2012 |date=March 12, 2012}}</ref>|| 46<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Military transport aircraft|Transport]] / [[Aerial refueling]] / [[Aerial firefighting]] / [[Utility aircraft|Utility]] / [[Signals intelligence]] / [[Maritime patrol]] / [[AEW]]'''
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[Air Tractor AT-802]] || {{USA}} || aerial firefighting || AT-802F || 8<ref name="INSS"/> || 7<ref name="milicas"/> ||3<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Beechcraft Bonanza]] || {{USA}} || utility || A-36 "Khofit" ||22<ref name="INSS"/> || – || 22<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | rowspan = "2"| [[Beechcraft Super King Air]] ([[Beechcraft C-12 Huron|C-12 Huron]]) ||rowspan="2"| {{USA}} || utility / transport / trainer || B-200/T/CT "Tzofit" || rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 29<ref name="INSS"/> || rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 29<ref name="milicas"/> || 22<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| ||{{H:title|Early Warning|EW}} / {{H:title|Electronic Intelligence|ELINT}} / {{H:title|Signals Intelligence|SIGINT}} || RC-12D/K "Kookiya" ||6<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[IAI Westwind|IAI SeaScan]] || {{ISR}} || maritime patrol || 1124N "Shahaf" || 3<ref name="INSS"/> || 3<ref name="milicas"/> || 3<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | rowspan = "2"| [[Gulfstream G550]] ||rowspan="2"| {{USA}} || {{H:title|Special Electronic Missions Aircraft|SEMA}} || G500 "Nahshon-Shavit" || 3<ref name="INSS"/> || 3<ref name="milicas"/> || 3<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| |{{H:title|Conformal Airborne Early Warning|CAEW}} || G550 "Nahshon-Eitam" || 2<ref name="INSS"/> || 2<ref name=milicas/> || 2<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | rowspan = "3"| [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules]] ||rowspan="3"| {{USA}} ||rowspan="2"| tactical transport || C-130E "Qarnaf" ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 12<ref name = "INSS" /> ||rowspan="2"| <math>\Big\}</math> 12<ref name="milicas"/> ||5<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | C-130H "Qarnaf" || 8<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | aerial refueling || KC-130H "Qarnaf" || 3<ref name="INSS"/> || 4<ref name="milicas"/> || 2<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | rowspan = "2"| [[Boeing 707]] ||rowspan="2"| {{USA}} || heavy transport / {{H:title|Early Warning|EW}} ||style="background:#efefef; color:black"| 707 "Re'em" ||style="background:#efefef; color:black"| 8<ref name="INSS"/> ||style="background:#efefef; color:black"| 1<ref name=milicas/>||1<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| |aerial refueling || KC-707 "Saknai" || 5<ref name="INSS"/> || 8<ref name="milicas"/> || 7<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Helicopters]]'''
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[Eurocopter Panther]] || {{FRA}} || maritime patrol || AS-565SA "Atalef" || 5<ref name=INSS/> || 6<ref name="milicas"/> || 7<ref name=IISS />
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Bell AH-1 Cobra]] || {{USA}} || attack helicopter || AH-1 "Tzefa" || 33<ref name=INSS/> || – || 33<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | rowspan = "2"| [[Boeing AH-64 Apache]] ||rowspan="2"| {{USA}} ||rowspan="2"| attack helicopter || AH-64A "Peten" || 30<ref name="INSS"/> || 26<ref name=ah64pod>{{cite web |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israeli-apache-upgrade-adds-avionics-pod-391501/ |title=Israeli Apache upgrade adds avionics pod |date= October 8, 2013 |accessdate=October 8, 2013}}</ref> || 27<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| |AH-64D "Saraph" || 17<ref name="INSS"/> || 22<ref name="ah64pod"/> || 17<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| |rowspan = "2"| [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion]] ||rowspan = "2"| {{USA}} ||rowspan = "2"| heavy transport || CH-53 "Yas'ur 2000" ||rowspan = "2"|<math>\Big\}</math> 37<ref name="INSS"/> || 18<ref name="ch53"/> ||rowspan = "2"|<math>\Big\}</math> 26<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| |CH-53 "Yas'ur 2025"|| 5<ref name="ch53">{{cite web|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-acquires-surplus-ch-53-helicopters-for-spares-381494/ |title = Israel acquires surplus CH-53 helicopters for spares |date=January 25, 2013 |accessdate=January 26, 2013}}</ref>
| |
| |-
| |
| || [[Sikorsky S-70]] ([[Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]]) || {{USA}} || tactical transport || S-70A / UH-60A/L "Yanshuf" || 49<ref name="INSS"/> || 48<ref name ="milicas"/> || 49<ref name=IISS/>
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Bell 206]] ([[Bell OH-58 Kiowa|OH-58 Kiowa]]) || {{USA}} || light transport / trainer || 206B "Saifan" || – || 18<ref name="milicas"/> || 6<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="7" | '''[[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]s'''
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[IAI Eitan]] || {{ISR}} || {{H:title|Medium Altitude Long Endurance|MALE}} ||Heron-TP "Eitan" || + || + || +<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [[IAI Heron]] || {{ISR}} || {{H:title|Medium Altitude Long Endurance|MALE}} || Heron-1 "Shoval" || + || + || +<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Elbit Hermes 450]] || {{ISR}} || Tactical UAV || Hermes 450S "Zik" || + || + || +<ref name="IISS" />
| |
| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
| |
| | [http://www.bluebird-uav.com/PDF/SpyLite_brochure_2009.pdf BlueBird SpyLite] || {{ISR}} || Mini UAV || SkyLite B || – || +<ref name=mini-uav>{{Citation | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/08/10/360528/israeli-air-force-boosts-mini-uas-capability.html | title = Israeli air force boosts mini UAS capability | date = August 10, 2011 | publisher = Flight global}}.</ref> || –
| |
| |}
| |
| | |
| ===Future===
| |
| {| class="wikitable"
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:26%;"|Aircraft
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:13%;"|Origin
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:15%;"|Type
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:15%;"|Versions
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:10%;"|Quantity
| |
| ! style="text-align:left; background:#acc; width:21%;"|Notes
| |
| |-
| |
| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | '''[[Fighter aircraft]]'''
| |
| |-
| |
| | [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Israeli procurement|Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II]] || {{USA}} || stealth multirole fighter|| F-35I "Adir"<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.defence-update.net/wordpress/tag/f-35i |title=F-35I – Defense-Update Newscast |publisher=Defence-update.net |date=August 15, 2010 |accessdate=September 8, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?channel=awst&id=news/awst/2010/08/23/AW_08_23_2010_p32-249396.xml&headline=Israel%20To%20Buy%20F-35s%20With%20Cockpit%20Mods |title=Israel To Buy F-35s With Cockpit Mods |publisher=Aviation Week |accessdate=September 8, 2011}}</ref> ||20 out of 75 ||Pending delivery<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE67T2JX20100830 |agency=Reuters | title= Israel set to build wings for some 800 F-35s | date=August 30, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3955420,00.html |title=Israel to purchase F-35 stealth jets | publisher = Ynetnews |date=June 20, 1995 |accessdate=September 8, 2011}}</ref>
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| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | '''[[Trainer aircraft]]'''
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| | [[Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master]] || {{ITA}} || transonic jet trainer || M-346 "Lavi" || 30 || Pending delivery.<ref>{{Citation | title = Israel’s Lavi reborn as renamed M-346 | url = http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israels-lavi-reborn-as-renamed-m-346-387862/ | publisher = Flight global}}.</ref>
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| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | '''[[Military transport aircraft|Transport]] / [[Utility aircraft]]'''
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| | [[Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules]] || {{USA}} || tactical transport || C-130J-30 "Shimshon" || 6 || Pending delivery.<ref name="c130j">{{cite web|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/ariel-view/2012/10/the-c-130-j-and-the-israeli-long-arm.html |title=The C-130J and the Israeli long arm |accessdate=October 5, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = Israel orders additional C‐130J‐30 Hercules airlifters | url = http://www.janes.com/article/31172/israel-orders-additional-c-130j-30-hercules-airlifters | publisher = Jane’s}}.</ref>
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| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
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| | [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey]] || {{USA}} || multipurpose tiltrotor || V-22B Block "C" || 6 || Deal being finalized.<ref>{{Citation | contribution = Israel V‐22B block C aircraft | contribution-url = http://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/israel-v-22b-block-c-aircraft | title = Major arms sales | publisher = DSCA}}.</ref>
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| | [[Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker]] || {{USA}} || aerial refueling || ? || 3 || Deal being finalized.<ref>{{Citation | title = Y net news | url = http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4369684,00.html}}.</ref><ref>{{Citation | title = US selling arms to Israel, Saudi Arabia & Emirates | date = 2013 Apr 19 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/19/world/middleeast/us-selling-arms-to-israel-saudi-arabia-and-emirates.html | newspaper = The New York Times}}.</ref>
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| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | '''[[Helicopters]]'''
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| | [[Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion]] || {{USA}} || heavy transport || ? || || Pending evaluation.<ref name= "helicas">{{cite web|url = http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/30/343883/israel-ditches-apache-upgrade-plan-commits-to-ch-53k.html |title=Israel ditches Apache upgrade plan, commits to CH-53K |work=Flight International | accessdate =September 8, 2011}}</ref>
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| ! style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6" | '''[[Unmanned aerial vehicle]]s'''
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| | [[Elbit Hermes 900]] || {{ISR}} || {{H:title|Medium Altitude Long Endurance|MALE}} || ? || || Two orders.<ref name=hermes>{{cite web|last=Egozi |first=Arie |url = http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-signs-launch-order-for-elbits-hermes-900-uav-341499/ |title=Israel signs launch order for Elbit's Hermes 900 UAV | publisher =Flight Global |date=May 4, 2010}}</ref><ref name=hermes2>{{cite web|last=Egozi |first=Arie |url= http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israeli-air-force-awards-training-uav-deals-to-elbit-380616/ |title=Israeli air force awards training, UAV deals to Elbit |publisher=Flight Global |date=January 2, 2013}}</ref>
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| |- style="background:#efefef; color:black"
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| | [[Aeronautics Defense Orbiter]] || {{ISR}} || Mini UAV || ? || || Selected 2011.<ref name=mini-uav />
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| |}
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| | |
| ===Historic===
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| {{main|List of aircraft of the Israeli Air Force}}
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| ===Munitions and space systems===
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| {{main|List of Israeli Air Force Munitions}}
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| ==Pilot selection and training==
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| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Landing and Take-Off Exercise (2).jpg|thumb|IAF Pilots sit atop an F-16D ''Barak'']]
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| {{main |Israeli Air Force flight academy}}
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| Thirty nine Israeli pilots have been credited with ace status, having shot down at least 5 enemy aircraft. Of these, 10 have shot down at least eight jet planes. The top ranking Israeli ace is Colonel [[Giora Epstein]], who shot down seventeen enemy planes. Epstein holds the world record for jet aircraft shot down, and the most aircraft of any type shot down since the [[Korean War]].
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| Although women had served as pilots during the [[1948 Arab-Israeli War|Israeli War of Independence]] and a few years thereafter, the [[Israeli Defence Forces]] had until 1995 denied women the opportunity to become pilots. In 1995, civilian pilot and [[aeronautical engineer]] Alice Miller successfully petitioned the Israel High Court of Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams, after being rejected on grounds of gender. Though president [[Ezer Weizman]], a former IAF commander, told Miller that she'd be better off staying home and darning socks, the court in 1996 eventually ruled that the IAF could not exclude qualified women from pilot training. Even though Miller would not pass the exams, the ruling was a watershed, opening doors for women in new IDF roles. After the prohibition had been lifted, the first female graduate was [[F-16]] navigator "Shari" in 1998, followed three years later by [[Roni Zuckerman]], the first female jet fighter pilot in IAF history.{{Sfn | Norton | 2004 | p = 105}}<ref>{{cite news| first= Lauren Gelfond|last= Feldinger|title = Skirting history| work = The Jerusalem Post|accessdate= October 11, 2011|date = September 21, 2008 | url = http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=114834}}</ref>
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| ===Ranks===
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| IAF ranks are identical to other [[Israel Defense Forces ranks]] except for the use of silver against a dark blue background. The service's most senior-ranking active officer is the air force commander, which is the billet of a major general (''aluf''), and reports directly to the [[Chief of General Staff (Israel) | IDF Chief of Staff]].
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| ====Officers====
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| {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:85%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
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| {{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OF/Blank}}
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| {{Ranks and Insignia of Israel Defense Forces/OF/Israeli Air Force}}
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| {{Ranks and Insignia of Israel Defense Forces/OF/USAF equivalent}}
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| |}
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| | |
| ==List of IAF commanders==
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| [[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Major General Amir Eshel.jpg|thumb|upright|Amir Eshel, the current IAF commander]]
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| *[[Yisrael Amir]] (May 1948 – July 1948)
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| *[[Aharon Remez]] (July 1948 – December 1950)
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| *[[Shlomo Shamir]] (December 1950 – August 1951)
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| *[[Haim Laskov]] (August 1951 – May 1953)
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| *[[Dan Tolkovsky]] (May 1953 – July 1958)
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| *[[Ezer Weizman]] (July 1958 – April 1966)
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| *[[Mordechai Hod]] (April 1966 – May 1973)
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| *[[Binyamin Peled]] (May 1973 – October 1977)
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| *[[David Ivri]] (October 1977 – December 1982)
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| *[[Amos Lapidot]] (December 1982 – September 1987)
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| *[[Avihu Ben-Nun]] (September 1987 – January 1992)
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| *[[Herzl Bodinger]] (January 1992 – July 1996)
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| *[[Eitan Ben Eliyahu]] (July 1996 – April 2000)
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| *[[Dan Halutz]] (April 2000 – April 2004)
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| *[[Elyezer Shkedy]] (April 2004 – May 2008)
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| *[[Ido Nehoshtan]] (May 2008 – May 2012)
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| *[[Amir Eshel]] (May 2012 – )
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| ==See also==
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| *[[List of flying aces in Arab–Israeli wars]]
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| *[[Post–World War II air-to-air combat losses]]
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| *[[Israeli Air Defense Network]]
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| *[[Nuclear weapons and Israel]]
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| *[[Talpiot program]]
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| ==References==
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| ===Citations===
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| {{reflist |32em}}
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| ===Bibliography===
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| {{Refbegin}}
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| * {{cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Arab-Israeli Air Wars|series= Combat Aircraft| year= 2001|publisher= Osprey| location= UK|isbn = 978-1-84176-294-4 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=mO02czQ9jyYC | ref = harv}}
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| * {{Cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Israeli Phantom II Aces|publisher=Osprey|year=2004|isbn=1-84176-783-2|location= UK | author-mask = 3 | ref = harv}}
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| * {{cite book | last = Aloni| first =Shlomo| title= Israeli A-4 Skyhawk Units in Combat|series=Combat Aircraft|year=2009|publisher= Osprey| location= UK | isbn = 978-1-84603-430-5|url= http://books.google.com/books?id=xoeBjenEN9AC | author-mask = 3 | ref = harv}}
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| * {{cite book | last1= Aloni| first1=Shlomo| first2= Zvi|last2= Avidror|title= Hammers – Israel's Long-Range Heavy Bomber Arm: The Story of 69 Squadron | isbn = 978-0-7643-3655-3 |publisher=Schiffer Publishing|location=Atglen, PA|year= 2010 | author-mask = 3 | ref = harv}}
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| * {{Cite book | last = Dunstan|first= Simon| year = 2003 | url= http://books.google.com/books?id=IqehogMZbTwC| title= The Yom Kippur War 1973 (1): The Golan Heights | publisher =Osprey Publishing|series=Campaign|isbn=978-1-84176-220-3|volume= 118 | ref = harv}}
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| * {{cite journal| last1= Franken| first1= Johan| first2= Frank| last2= Van Der Avoort | year = 2012 | month = October | title= Blue-Starred Defenders| journal = Air Forces Monthly | issue = 295 | pages= 72–83 | ref = Harv}}
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| * {{Cite book | last = Gordon | first= Shmuel|language=Hebrew|title=Thirty hours in October|year=2008|publisher=Ma'ariv Book Guild | ref = harv}}
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| * {{Cite book | last = Nordeen| first= Lon|title=Fighters Over Israel|publisher=Orion Books|year=1990|isbn=0-517-56603-6|place= New York | ref = harv}}
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| * {{cite book | last = Norton | first= William ‘Bill’ | title= Air War on the Edge – A History of the Israel Air Force and its Aircraft since 1947 | publisher = [[Ian Allan Publishing |Midland Publishing]]|year=2004|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=q84hAQAAIAAJ|isbn= 1-85780-088-5 | ref = harv}}
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| {{Refend}}
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| ==External links==
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| {{Commons category|Air force of Israel}}
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| *[http://www.iaf.org.il/ IAF Official Website]
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| * {{Citation | url = http://www.scramble.nl/il.htm | title = The Israeli Air Force | place = [[Netherlands |NL]] | publisher = Scramble}}
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| * {{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.flickr.com/photos/israelairforce/ | contribution = Israeli Air Force | type = official | publisher = Yahoo | title = Flickr | format = photostream}}.
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| * {{Citation | contribution-url = http://www.flickr.com/groups/israel_air_force | contribution = Israeli Air Force | type = group | title = Flickr | publisher = Yahoo}}
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| {{Israel Defense Forces}}
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| {{Israeli Air Force}}
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| {{Israeli Air Force Squadrons}}
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| {{Air forces}}
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| [[Category:Israeli Air Force| ]]
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| [[Category:Military units and formations established in 1948]]
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