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

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.

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.

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.

IDF Tour of Duty: Six American Cities in Six Days
Ohio Jewish Chronicle: LIBI Hero Speaks in Columbus
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