Friends of LIBI
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • LEADERSHIP
  • NEWS
  • PROGRAMS
  • CONTACT
Select Page

Did you know these 7 facts about the Israel Air Force?

by jshyman123 | Mar 3, 2015 | lists | 0 comments

To be a pilot in the Israeli Air Force is notoriously one of the most difficult positions in the Army. Out of the thousands who apply to be pilots, only a small minority complete the pilots course and they are considered to be the elite in the Israeli Army. This picture is of graduates of the pilot's course, a long and gruelling process, but one that shows the incredible dedication of the the Israeli youth, who are willing to devote years of their life for the benefit of the country.

The Israeli Air Force Flight Academy course last for three and a half years, and the minority of soldiers who graduate achieve the rank of lieutenant as well as a B.A. from one of Israel's prestigious universities. Following the course, soldiers sign on for a mandatory nine years of service as a pilot in the Israeli Air Force. You can sense the excitement in this photo, of graduates of the course and soldiers realizing their dream and finially becoming an Israeli Pilot.
xenia xbox 360 emulator
It is difficult to imagine that the now thriving Israeli Air Force was once a small group of pilots with a tiny number of planes known as the 'Sherut Avir' in the early years of the state. The current airforce has approximately 34,000 active soldiers serving in it and has been crucial in all of Israel's wars and operations. This picture shows the new pilots receiving their officer's ranks, a prestigious and very moving event for soldiers and their family members.
video scheduler error
The F-16I "Sufa" is known as the Storm. The aircraft was custom made for the Israeli airforce's needs and is essential in the Israeli fleet. The Israeli Air Force are critical in Israeli wars and missions. They have been responsible for a variety of assignments, including bringing Jewish immigrants over in the 80's ad 90's, striking senior terrorists and destroying terrorist targets.

This picture is a beautiful display of cooperation between different army units. Golani troops are filing into a black hawk helicoptor, which is piloted by a member of the air force. There is an incredible amount of comeraderie in the Israeli army, even given the diversity of the soldiers. This is rooted in the deep love and commitment soldiers have to their land.

This picture shows the Israeli Air Force flying over Tel Aviv as part of Israel's Independence Day celebrations. This annual display is a time that the IAF, who are more often than not engaged in covert operations, have a chance to show off their skill and stregnth. In further celebration, the air force also use this day to open their bases to the public, who are invited to visit and learn about what they do. The bases are only open on this special day and it is a wonderful family experience.

This year, for the first time in Israel’s history, the Israel Air Force launched the “Blue Flag” training exercise – an international air force exercise with participation by the US, Italian and Hellenic air forces. US Ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, was present at the opening of the exercise. “Israel lives in a dangerous neighborhood. We need the best equipped, best trained forces as possible to protect our people and our security,” he said. “We also need allies and we have great allies here…all training together and reinforcing a partnership that gets stronger with each passing year.”

A record number of 5 women graduated from last year's 163rd IDF Pilot's Course (as shown in this photo). One of the graduates, Lt. N., will be specializing in combat helicopter operations. Her father was a pilot, and operated F-15 aircrafts over 20 years ago. “I always knew I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a pilot, even when people around me made fun of my ambitions,” she says. Everywhere in the IDF, including the Air Force, women play a vital role in all positions, both combat and Female Graduates of the Pilot's Course administrative.

Submit a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Recent Posts

  • Our 1984 Lone Soldier shares her story
  • Israeli forces fire warning shots after Lebanese troops cross the border
  • Tensions heat up between Iran and Israel
  • IDF Elite officer killed in Jenin gun battle
  • IDF launches most extensive war drill in decades

Archives

  • October 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • August 2013
  • December 2012
  • October 2012
  • March 2011
  • April 2010
  • Follow

American Friends of LIBI is a recognized 501c3 non-profit organization run by a network of volunteers.

When you donate to LIBI USA, over 95% of your donation goes directly to support Israeli soldiers.

Note new address: American Friends of LIBI, 2001 Beacon street suit 107, Brighton, MA 02135 | 617 738 0111 | 800 399 8467 | Fax:617 734 7914 | Email:info@friendsoflibi.org

©2025, LIBI USA. All rights reserved. Site designed by the Virtual Paintbrush.