Tel Nof Airbase: Difference between revisions
mNo edit summary |
|||
(42 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 13034 Air Force Memorial in Pilots Mountain.jpg|thumb|304px|Israeli Air Force Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain", IAF's main memorial for its fallen pilots and airmen, created in the 1950s, 25 kilometers east of Tel Nof ({{coord|31.774559|35.090043|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Air Force Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain"}})]] |
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 13034 Air Force Memorial in Pilots Mountain.jpg|thumb|304px|Israeli Air Force Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain", IAF's main memorial for its fallen pilots and airmen, created in the 1950s, 25 kilometers east of Tel Nof ({{coord|31.774559|35.090043|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Air Force Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain"}})]] |
||
'''Tel Nof Airbase''' ({{langx|he|בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף}}, English: Lookout hill) {{Airport codes||LLEK}}, also known as '''Air Force Base 8''', is the oldest and main base of the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) located 5 km south of [[Rehovot]], [[Israel]]. Tel Nof houses two strike fighter, two helicopter and a [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] squadron. Also located on the base are the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' and several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF), among others [[Unit 669]] (heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]], CSAR) and the [[Paratroopers Brigade]] training center and its headquarters. |
'''Tel Nof Airbase''' ({{langx|he|בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף}}, English: Lookout hill) {{Airport codes||LLEK}}, also known as '''Air Force Base 8''', is the oldest and main base of the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) located 5 km south of [[Rehovot]], [[Israel]]. Tel Nof houses two strike fighter, two helicopter and a [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] squadron. Also located on the base are the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' and several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF), among others [[Unit 669]] (heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]], CSAR) and the [[Paratroopers Brigade]] training center and its headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117005209/http://www.iaf.org.il/2570-30205-en/IAF.aspx|title=Tel Nof / RAF Aqir|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-11-12}}</ref> |
||
== History == |
== History == |
||
Line 108: | Line 108: | ||
Vickers Wellington - Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. CM5756.jpg|A 76 OTU [[Vickers Wellington|Vickers Wellington Mark X]] at '''RAF Aqir''', 1944-1945 |
Vickers Wellington - Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. CM5756.jpg|A 76 OTU [[Vickers Wellington|Vickers Wellington Mark X]] at '''RAF Aqir''', 1944-1945 |
||
Air gunner training RAF Aqir WWII IWM CM 5754.jpg|Air gunner training at '''RAF Aqir''', 1944-1945 |
Air gunner training RAF Aqir WWII IWM CM 5754.jpg|Air gunner training at '''RAF Aqir''', 1944-1945 |
||
Handley Page Halifax - British Forces in the Middle East, 1945-1947 E32215.jpg|[[Handley Page Halifax]] |
Handley Page Halifax - British Forces in the Middle East, 1945-1947 E32215.jpg|[[Handley Page Halifax]], [[No. 113 Squadron RAF|113 Squad­ron]] from '''RAF Aqir''', 1946-1947 |
||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
Line 115: | Line 115: | ||
=== First Israeli fighter aircraft === |
=== First Israeli fighter aircraft === |
||
On 29 May 1948, the first four fighter aircraft [[Avia S-199]] of the first aircraft squadron 101 "First Fighter" of the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) took off from here for their first mission, an attack on the [[Ad Halom]] Bridge in the eastern outskirts of [[Ashdod]], which was in the hands of Egyptian troops. Important was less the modest military success of this operation than the shock to the Egyptian soldiers when they saw with their own eyes that Israel now had an Air Force. |
On 29 May 1948, the first four fighter aircraft [[Avia S-199]] of the first aircraft [[101 Squadron (Israel)|squadron 101]] "First Fighter" of the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) took off from here for their first mission, an attack on the [[Ad Halom]] Bridge in the eastern outskirts of [[Ashdod]], which was in the hands of Egyptian troops. Important was less the modest military success of this operation than the shock to the Egyptian soldiers when they saw with their own eyes that Israel now had an Air Force. |
||
On 17 August 1948, '''Ekron Airbase''' (later '''Tel Nof Airbase''') was officially and ceremoniously opened. [[Hatzor Airbase]] and [[Ramat David Airbase]] taken over from the British soon followed. The [[Israeli Air Force Flight Academy|IAF Flight Academy]] was |
On 17 August 1948, '''Ekron Airbase''' (later '''Tel Nof Airbase''') was officially and ceremoniously opened. [[Hatzor Airbase]] and [[Ramat David Airbase]] taken over from the British soon followed. The [[Israeli Air Force Flight Academy|IAF Flight Academy]] was installed at Tel Nof in 1955 until it was moved to the newly built [[Hatzerim Airbase]] in 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof|publisher=Global Security|access-date=2009-02-06}}</ref> |
||
<gallery widths="190"> |
<gallery widths="190"> |
||
Avia-S-199-IAF-101Sqn-Tel-Nof-Israel-1948-01.jpg|Czech [[Avia S-199]] of Israeli [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] at '''Ekron Airbase''' in 1948 |
Avia-S-199-IAF-101Sqn-Tel-Nof-Israel-1948-01.jpg|Czech [[Avia S-199]] of Israeli [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] at '''Ekron Airbase''' in 1948 |
||
Avia-S199-hatzerim-2.jpg|An Avia S-199 of 101 Squadron at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] in 2006 |
Avia-S199-hatzerim-2.jpg|An [[Avia S-199]] of [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] in 2006 |
||
Hatzerim 290110 Spitfire 02.jpg|A [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mk.IXe]] of 101 Squadron, from the early days of the IAF |
Hatzerim 290110 Spitfire 02.jpg|A [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mk.IXe]] of [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]], from the early days of the [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]] |
||
Hatzerim Mustang 29012010 02.jpg|A [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustang]] of 101 Squadron of the IAF, from |
Hatzerim Mustang 29012010 02.jpg|A [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustang]] of [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] of the [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]], from its early days too |
||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
=== Paratroopers Brigade === |
=== Paratroopers Brigade === |
||
During the [[1948 Palestine War]] there was a provisional paratroopers unit in Israel, which was expanded from the beginning of the 1950s into a regular [[Paratroopers Brigade]], whose headquarters and training center is still located |
During the [[1948 Palestine War]] there was a provisional paratroopers unit in Israel, which was expanded from the beginning of the 1950s into a regular [[Paratroopers Brigade]], whose headquarters and training center is still located at Tel Nof to this day. This brigade and its units has since been involved in many important operations in Israel's wars, such as: the [[Suez Crisis]] and the [[Six-Day War]], where the conquest of the [[Old City of Jerusalem]] with the capture of the [[Temple Mount]] and the [[Western Wall]] by Israeli paratroopers was particularly remembered. |
||
<gallery widths="190"> |
<gallery widths="190" heights="190"> |
||
Tel Nof IAF base (997008137056205171).jpg|Soldiers of the Israel [[Paratroopers Brigade]] at '''Tel Nof Airbase''' in 1955 |
Tel Nof IAF base (997008137056205171).jpg|Soldiers of the Israel [[Paratroopers Brigade]] at '''Tel Nof Airbase''' in 1955 |
||
An Israeli unit of parachutists lining up in front of nord transport planes destined to go into actlion in Sinai, last minute change orders were deirected to Jerusalem. June 1967. D327-061.jpg|Paratroopers climb aboard en route to Jerusalem on 7 June 1967 |
|||
צנחנים בכותל המערבי.jpg|Israeli paratroopers reach the [[Western Wall]] on 7 June 1967 |
צנחנים בכותל המערבי.jpg|Israeli paratroopers reach the [[Western Wall]] on 7 June 1967 |
||
IDF Paratroopers unit in an exercise (FL45727370).jpg|Israeli paratroopers are jumping from a [[Nord Noratlas]] in 1972 |
|||
</gallery> |
|||
One and a half kilometers west of Tel Nof lies the main Paratroopers Memorial near National Road [[File:ISR-HW-40.svg|20px]], which commemorates those who fell in these units ({{coord|31.842728|34.788440|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Paratroopers Main Memorial}}). |
|||
<gallery widths="190"> |
|||
116357 the paratroopers monument PikiWiki Israel.jpg|Inauguration of the Paratroopers Memorial on [[Yom HaZikaron]] 1960 |
|||
Dan Hadani collection (990044421700205171).jpg|[[Moshe Dayan]] lays a wreath at the Paratroopers Memorial in 1969 |
Dan Hadani collection (990044421700205171).jpg|[[Moshe Dayan]] lays a wreath at the Paratroopers Memorial in 1969 |
||
PikiWiki Israel 67392 tel nof parachutists monument.jpg|The Paratroopers Memorial in |
PikiWiki Israel 67392 tel nof parachutists monument.jpg|The Paratroopers Memorial in 2020 west of Tel Nof at National Road 40 |
||
Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers in Training.jpg|Training jump of paratroopers shortly before sunset in May 2010 |
|||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
Line 139: | Line 148: | ||
As late as the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967, French fighter jets manufactured by [[Dassault Aviation]] played a leading role in the IAF, such as the [[Dassault Mystère IV|Mystère IV]], the [[Dassault Super Mystère|Super Mystère]] and the [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]]. Some of these were also stationed at Tel Nof at that time. In the mid-1960s, Israel had commissioned Dassault to build an improved version of the Mirage III that was specifically tailored to the needs of the IAF, as they needed a ground attack aircraft in a desert environment. The first examples of this version, called the [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]], were supposed to be delivered in 1967, but this never happened. |
As late as the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967, French fighter jets manufactured by [[Dassault Aviation]] played a leading role in the IAF, such as the [[Dassault Mystère IV|Mystère IV]], the [[Dassault Super Mystère|Super Mystère]] and the [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]]. Some of these were also stationed at Tel Nof at that time. In the mid-1960s, Israel had commissioned Dassault to build an improved version of the Mirage III that was specifically tailored to the needs of the IAF, as they needed a ground attack aircraft in a desert environment. The first examples of this version, called the [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]], were supposed to be delivered in 1967, but this never happened. |
||
The French-built fighter jets – except the Mirage 5 – now on display at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]]: |
|||
<gallery widths="190"> |
<gallery widths="190"> |
||
Hatzerim 270416 Mystere.jpg|A [[Dassault Mystère IV|Dassault Mystère IV-A]] of [[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 Squadron]] "Defenders Of The South" from Tel Nof |
Hatzerim 270416 Mystere.jpg|A [[Dassault Mystère IV|Dassault Mystère IV-A]] of [[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 Squadron]] "Defenders Of The South" from Tel Nof |
||
Super Mystere Hatzerim 2901101.jpg| |
Super Mystere Hatzerim 2901101.jpg|[[Dassault Super Mystère|Dassault Super Mystère B2]] ''Sambad'' of [[105 Squadron (Israel)|105 Squadron]] "Scorpion", the only IAF squadron with that aircraft |
||
Dassault Mirage IIICJ (468968546).jpg|A [[Dassault Mirage III]] ''Shahak'', also flown by [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase |
Dassault Mirage IIICJ (468968546).jpg|A [[Dassault Mirage III]] ''Shahak'', also flown by [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase |
||
Dassault Mirage 5F, France - Air Force AN1894124.jpg|[[French Air Force]] [[Dassault Mirage 5]], of which 50 copies were to be delivered to Israel from 1967 |
Dassault Mirage 5F, France - Air Force AN1894124.jpg|[[French Air Force]] [[Dassault Mirage 5]], of which 50 copies were to be delivered to Israel from 1967 |
||
Line 150: | Line 159: | ||
=== Yom Kippur War === |
=== Yom Kippur War === |
||
[[File:F-4E GivatOlga 081014 01.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kur­nass'' of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at the [[Technoda - Hadera|Giv'at Olga Technoda]] |
[[File:F-4E GivatOlga 081014 01.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kur­nass'' of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at the [[Technoda - Hadera|Giv'at Olga Technoda]] in [[Hadera]]]] |
||
Tel Nof Airbase has been steadily expanded over the years, and during the [[Yom Kippur War]] in October 1973, seven air squadrons operated at the base. While the [[Six-Day War]] 1967 was still characterized by French-made fighter aircraft, US ones now dominate. |
Despite the embargo Tel Nof Airbase has been steadily expanded over the years, and during the [[Yom Kippur War]] in October 1973, seven air squadrons operated at the base. While the [[Six-Day War]] 1967 was still characterized by French-made fighter aircraft, US ones now dominate. |
||
The seven squadrons at Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War: |
The seven squadrons at Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War: |
||
Line 162: | Line 171: | ||
* [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" with [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft |
* [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" with [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft |
||
US-made airplanes, most of them now at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]]: |
|||
<gallery widths=" |
<gallery widths="190"> |
||
A Skyhawk fighter taking off (FL61860702).jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|RF-4E Phantom II]] ''Orev'' of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in 1974 just after the [[Yom Kippur War]] |
|||
I042107 211 (469010027).jpg|[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk#Variants|A-4N & A-4H Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' (from left) of [[147 Squadron (Israel)|147 Squadron]] "Goring Ram", stationed in two squadrons at Tel Nof |
I042107 211 (469010027).jpg|[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk#Variants|A-4N & A-4H Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' (from left) of [[147 Squadron (Israel)|147 Squadron]] "Goring Ram", stationed in two squadrons at Tel Nof |
||
Yom Kippur War. XXVII.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof during the [[Yom Kippur War]] 1973 |
Yom Kippur War. XXVII.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof during the [[Yom Kippur War]] 1973 |
||
⚫ | |||
4X-FLO Moti Shvimer.jpg|[[Bell 206|Bell 205/206]] and [[Bell 212]] (from left) general-purpose helicopters of [[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 Squadron]] "Rolling Sword" |
4X-FLO Moti Shvimer.jpg|[[Bell 206|Bell 205/206]] and [[Bell 212]] (from left) general-purpose helicopters of [[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 Squadron]] "Rolling Sword" |
||
⚫ | |||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
The total of twelve (or sixteen) [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa'' transport helicopters that Israel had received from France before the embargo were stationed in the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Leaders" |
The total of twelve (or sixteen) [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa'' transport helicopters that Israel had received from France before the embargo were stationed in the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Leaders" at Tel Nof from 1966 to 1991 and were retrofitted with more powerful US engines until they were finally all decommissioned. The more than twenty French but German-built [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft of the [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" at Tel Nof were in service there from 1956 to 1978. Most of them were former machines of the [[German Air Force]] (Deutsche Luftwaffe) or were built under license in Germany and handed over or delivered to Israel from the early 1960s. |
||
<gallery widths="190"> |
|||
⚫ | |||
Aerospatiale Sid-Aviation SA-321K Super-Frelon Helicopter (468949900).jpg|A [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] transport helicopter, later with US-made engines, at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]] |
|||
026 מלחמת ששת הימים.jpg|A [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" (see nose) during the [[Six-Day War]] |
|||
⚫ | |||
</gallery> |
|||
== F-15 Fighter Jets == |
== F-15 Fighter Jets == |
||
Line 178: | Line 193: | ||
=== Nuclear weapons === |
=== Nuclear weapons === |
||
It is assumed (e.g. by the [[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]) that Israel is in possession of [[Nuclear weapons and Israel|nuclear weapons]] since the late 1960s and that they are stored at some point |
It is assumed (e.g. by the [[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]) that Israel is in possession of [[Nuclear weapons and Israel|nuclear weapons]] since the late 1960s and that they are stored at some point at Tel Nof in a specially secured area (presumably here: {{coord|31.847892|34.814606|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Tel Nof Airbase?}}) and at the neighboring [[Sdot Micha Airbase]] in bunkers (presumably here: {{coord|31.755783|34.917572|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Sdot Micha Airbase?}}) near the positions of [[Jericho (missile)|Jericho missiles]].<ref name= "nti-392">{{cite web|url=https://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/392/|title=Tel Nof Airbase – Facilities – NTI|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref name="globalse-Tel_Nof">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof / Tel Nov - Israel Airfields |website=GlobalSecurity.org|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/das-phantom-von-dimona-a-bc50e085-0002-0001-0000-000029787350|title=The Phantom of Dimona|website=Spiegel-Online|date=2004-01-25|access-date=2024-02-24|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00963402.2021.2014239?needAccess=true|title=Israeli nuclear weapons, 2021|website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2022|date=|access-date=2023-12-23}}</ref> Fighter aircraft that can carry such weapons over long distances, like the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]] (see gallery below) and once the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] (see picture above) have been on alert around the clock at the base since the 1970s. This form of deterrence was one of the lessons that Israel learned from the wars with its neighbors, even though the country has not yet admitted that it has nuclear weapons. |
||
=== Operation Wooden Leg === |
=== Operation Wooden Leg === |
||
On 1 October 1985, under the name ''[[Operation Wooden Leg]]'', ten two-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15#Variants|F-15B/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' from Tel Nof (two of them in reserve) attacked the headquarters of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] near [[Tunis]]. On their 2,300 km long flight to the destination on the Mediterranean coast of [[Tunisia]] the F-15s were refueled several times by two [[Boeing 707]] ''Re'em''. The headquarters were completely destroyed and |
On 1 October 1985, under the name ''[[Operation Wooden Leg]]'', ten two-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15#Variants|F-15B/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' from Tel Nof (two of them in reserve) attacked the headquarters of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] near [[Tunis]]. On their 2,300 km long flight to the destination on the Mediterranean coast of [[Tunisia]] the F-15s were refueled several times by two [[Boeing 707]] ''Re'em''. The headquarters were completely destroyed and – depending on the source – 50 to 75 PLO fighters were killed, including many leaders, but not Palestinian leader [[Yasser Arafat]]. The action was condemned without dissent in the [[United Nations|UNO]], and the USA also criticized it because it strained its relationship with Tunisia. The eight F-15 jets from Tel Nof involved received a corresponding symbol (target cross in the red circle with a wooden leg, see picture in the gallery below).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112140504/https://www.iaf.org.il/5642-46126-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Long Leg|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref> |
||
=== Variants at Tel Nof === |
=== Variants at Tel Nof === |
||
Line 192: | Line 207: | ||
== Today == |
== Today == |
||
Today (2024), Tel Nof is home to two strike fighter jet and two transport helicopter squadrons as well as a drone squadron. Also located there is the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' with one example of all aircraft variants (see F-15I Eagle ''Ra'am'' in the gallery above and F-35I ''Adir'' in the gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]"). Several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israel Defense Forces (IDF)]] are also located there, including [[Unit 669]] |
Today (2024), Tel Nof is home to two strike fighter jet and two transport helicopter squadrons as well as a drone squadron. Also located there is the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' with one example of all aircraft variants (see F-15I Eagle ''Ra'am'' in the gallery above and F-35I ''Adir'' in the gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]"). Several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israel Defense Forces (IDF)]] are also located there, including [[Unit 669]] heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) and the training center for the [[35th Paratroopers Brigade (Israel)|Israeli Paratroopers Brigade]]. |
||
* Since January 2019, the so-called [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] has been operating |
* Since January 2019, the so-called [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] has been operating at Tel Nof to train Israeli and German soldiers on the [[IAI Eitan]] (Heron TP) UAV. IAI ([[Israel Aerospace Industries]]) has built its own version of this UAV for the [[German Air Force]], whose crews are now being trained by Israeli soldiers and technicians. This unit is the only non-fully Israeli squadron within the IAF.<ref name="Red Baron">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9283-52268-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF Squadron that trains German Crews|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-07-02|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
* In November 2020, a brand-new [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35I "Adir"|F-35I]] ''Adir'' from the USA landed directly |
* In November 2020, a brand-new [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35I "Adir"|F-35I]] ''Adir'' from the USA landed directly at Tel Nov. This specially equipped machine will serve as a test platform at the local [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' for further improvement of this stealth jet (see gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9291-52545-en/IAF.aspx|title=Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental "Adir"|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-11-11|access-date=2023-08-25}}</ref> |
||
* At the end of 2021, Israel ordered twelve new [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' transport helicopters from the US for two billion dollars, which will complement the [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' |
* At the end of 2021, Israel ordered twelve new [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' transport helicopters from the US for two billion dollars, which will complement the [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' at Tel Nof in the next few years. In July 2023, the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Leaders" was temporarily closed and merged with the [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders". The former will reopen in the future and accommodate the new CH-53K King Stallion as they arrive from the United States (see gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]").<ref name="king0">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9324-52776-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF's Future Helicopter|website=IAF-Website|date=2021-02-25|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref name="king1">{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/erster-exporterfolg-fuer-sikorsky-israel-waehlt-ch-53k/|title=Israel wählt CH-53K|website=Flugrevue|date=2021-02-26|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref><ref name="king2">{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/ruestungsbeschaffungen-mit-us-geld-israel-unterschreibt-fuer-ch-53k-und-kc-46a/|title=Israel unterschreibt für CH-53K und KC-46A|website=Flugrevue|date=2022-01-01|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref><ref name="king3">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57288-he/IAF.aspx|title=End of period - 114th Squadron merged with 118th Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-05|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
* The aging [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15A/B/C/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' fighter jets |
* The aging [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15A/B/C/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' fighter jets at Tel Nof will be replaced in the medium term by new [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15IA|F-15IA]] (Israel Advanced), which are based on the [[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II|F-15EX Eagle II]]. 25 new jets for one squadron have been ordered with the option for 25 more, which will be delivered from 2029. These new, powerful strike fighter jets would be needed to carry heavy bunker-busting bombs that could then be used against [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's]] underground nuclear facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-boeing-official-in-israel-to-push-sale-of-advanced-f-15-jets-for-iran-strike/|title=Senior Boeing official in Israel to push sale of advanced F-15 jets for Iran strike|website=The Times Of Israel|date=2023-02-20|access-date=2023-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-sale-to-israel-reportedly-ready-to-close-will-gaza-change-that|title=F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?|website=The War Zone|date=2024-04-03|access-date=2024-04-04}}</ref> At the same time, at the [[Hatzerim Airbase]] 70 kilometers to the south, the 25 [[F-15I]] Ra'am jets there are being brought up to the latest F-15I+ standard through fundamental updates.<ref name="f-15ia" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/israel-executes-long-awaited-buy-of-f-15ia-advanced-eagle-fighters|title=Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters|website=The War Zone|date=2024-11-07|access-date=2024-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/63547|title=Contract signed to purchase 25 modern F-15IA aircraft from Boeing|website=Israel Defense|date=2024-11-09|access-date=2024-11-09|language=he}}</ref> |
||
* During the [[Israel–Hamas war|Gaza War 2023/24]], drones of the type [[IAI Eitan]] (Heron TP) from Tel Nof are 24 hours a day in the air over Gaza to provide the IDF with target data for its attacks against positions of the terrorist militia [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2023-11-08 |date=2023-11-08 |title=The Israeli Air Force's Heron UAV Squadron: the IDF's Largest Target Provider |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/60260 |website=Israel Defense}}</ref> According to unofficial sources, these drones are also capable of attacking targets on the ground using guided weapons. |
* During the [[Israel–Hamas war|Gaza War 2023/24]], drones of the type [[IAI Eitan]] (Heron TP) from Tel Nof are 24 hours a day in the air over Gaza to provide the IDF with target data for its attacks against positions of the terrorist militia [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2023-11-08 |date=2023-11-08 |title=The Israeli Air Force's Heron UAV Squadron: the IDF's Largest Target Provider |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/60260 |website=Israel Defense}}</ref> According to unofficial sources, these drones are also capable of attacking targets on the ground using guided weapons. |
||
Line 219: | Line 234: | ||
* [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" – operating F-15C/D Eagle ''Baz''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33505-en/IAF.aspx|title=Knights Of The Twin Tail Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
* [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" – operating F-15C/D Eagle ''Baz''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33505-en/IAF.aspx|title=Knights Of The Twin Tail Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
* [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" – operating [[IAI Eitan]] UAVs<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4428-46031-en/IAF.aspx|title="White Eagle" Squadron Looking Ahead|website=IAF-Website|date=2015-12-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9204-53572-en/IAF.aspx|title=The 210th Squadron Turns 10|website=IAF-Website|date=2011-08-12|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
* [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" – operating [[IAI Eitan]] UAVs<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4428-46031-en/IAF.aspx|title="White Eagle" Squadron Looking Ahead|website=IAF-Website|date=2015-12-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9204-53572-en/IAF.aspx|title=The 210th Squadron Turns 10|website=IAF-Website|date=2011-08-12|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
* [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|5601 Squadron]] "Flight Test Center" ''Manat'' – operating examples of all IAF aircraft |
* [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|5601 Squadron]] "Flight Test Center" ''Manat'' – operating examples of all IAF aircraft<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbase.com/xnir/flight_test_center&page=1|title=IAF Flight Test Center Photo Gallery|website=xnir on pbase.com|date=2006-12-07|access-date=2024-11-09}}</ref> |
||
* [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" – [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare EW]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|title=And they struck them with blindness|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=2010-09-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
* [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" – for [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare (EW)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|title=And they struck them with blindness|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=2010-09-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
* [[Unit 669]] "Flying Cats" – heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) (at [[Palmachim Airbase|Palmachim]] also)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/unit-669/|title=Unit 669|website=IDF-Website|date=2021-12-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4460-49224-en/IAF.aspx|title=A Rare Peek into SAR Unit 669|website=IAF-Website|date=2017-05-01|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57380-en/IAF.aspx|title=Officially Cats: End of 669 Course|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-13|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> |
* [[Unit 669]] "Flying Cats" – heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) (at [[Palmachim Airbase|Palmachim]] also)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/unit-669/|title=Unit 669|website=IDF-Website|date=2021-12-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4460-49224-en/IAF.aspx|title=A Rare Peek into SAR Unit 669|website=IAF-Website|date=2017-05-01|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57380-en/IAF.aspx|title=Officially Cats: End of 669 Course|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-13|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> |
||
* [[Multidimensional Unit (IDF)|Unit 888]] "Refaim" – combined special operations task force<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%d7%9b%d7%aa%d7%91%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%93%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%9d/2020/%d7%94%d7%99%d7%97%d7%99%d7%93%d7%94-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%91-%d7%9e%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%99%d7%aa/|title=Such a unit has not existed in the IDF - until today|website=IDF website|date=2020-01-01|access-date=2023-11-08|language=he}}</ref> |
* [[Multidimensional Unit (IDF)|Unit 888]] "Refaim" – combined special operations task force<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%d7%9b%d7%aa%d7%91%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%93%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%9d/2020/%d7%94%d7%99%d7%97%d7%99%d7%93%d7%94-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%91-%d7%9e%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%99%d7%aa/|title=Such a unit has not existed in the IDF - until today|website=IDF website|date=2020-01-01|access-date=2023-11-08|language=he}}</ref> |
||
Line 227: | Line 242: | ||
<gallery widths="190"> |
<gallery widths="190"> |
||
McDonnell Douglas F-15D-27-MC Eagle ‘980’ (48644576832).jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' two-seater of [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Edge Of The Spear" at Tel Nof |
McDonnell Douglas F-15D-27-MC Eagle ‘980’ (48644576832).jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' two-seater of [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Edge Of The Spear" about to land at Tel Nof |
||
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, ILA 2018, Schönefeld (1X7A6778).jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53K|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' will be based |
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, ILA 2018, Schönefeld (1X7A6778).jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53K|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' will be based on Tel Nof in the coming years |
||
120516 Independence Flypast CH-53 01.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof |
120516 Independence Flypast CH-53 01.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof |
||
IAF-F-15C-Baz--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-082.jpg|A single-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15C Eagle]] ''Baz'' of [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] |
IAF-F-15C-Baz--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-082.jpg|A single-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15C Eagle]] ''Baz'' of [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" with four Syrian "Kill Marks" |
||
IAF-Eitan--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-099.jpg|An [[IAI Eitan|IAI ''Eitan'']] UAV of [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" from Tel Nof |
IAF-Eitan--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-099.jpg|An [[IAI Eitan|IAI ''Eitan'']] UAV of [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" from Tel Nof |
||
The Israeli Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental «Adir». X.jpg|The Tel Nof [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' gets a special [[Lockheed Martin F-35|F-35I]] ''Adir'' in 2020 |
The Israeli Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental «Adir». X.jpg|The Tel Nof [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' gets a special [[Lockheed Martin F-35|F-35I]] ''Adir'' in 2020 |
||
Orvey-Shakim-unit-IAF.png|Shoulder patch of [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" for [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare EW]] |
Orvey-Shakim-unit-IAF.png|Shoulder patch of [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" for [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare (EW)]] at Tel Nof |
||
Hatzerim 280616 Yasur 01.jpg|The [[Unit 669]] trains the rescue of people with a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' from Tel Nof |
Hatzerim 280616 Yasur 01.jpg|The [[Unit 669]] trains the rescue of people with a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' from Tel Nof |
||
IDF Multidimensional Unit change of command ceremony, July 2021. I.jpg|Change of command of the |
IDF Multidimensional Unit change of command ceremony, July 2021. I.jpg|Change of command of the multi­dimensional [[Multidimensional Unit (IDF)|Unit 888]] "Refaim" in July 2021 at Tel Nof |
||
Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers Over Southern Israel.jpg|Paratroopers rain down over southern Israel in March 2012 |
Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers Over Southern Israel.jpg|Paratroopers rain down over southern Israel in March 2012 |
||
Red Baron Squadron. II.jpg|The Israeli-German [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] for UAV training was inaugurated |
Red Baron Squadron. II.jpg|The Israeli-German [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] for UAV training was inaugurated at Tel Nof in 2019 |
||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
Line 244: | Line 259: | ||
== Accidents == |
== Accidents == |
||
* On 29 April 1964, a [[Nord Noratlas|Nord Noratlas 2501D]] of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" from Tel Nof ([[aircraft registration]] ''4X-FAD/044'') was flown into a mountain near the [[Ramon Airbase]]. In this CFIT ([[Controlled flight into terrain]]), all 9 occupants were killed, the two pilots and the 7 passengers. It was the former ''GC+231'' of the [[German Air Force]] (Deutsche Luftwaffe).<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19640429-1|type=|title=Noratlas 4X-FAD/044|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> See also picture of an identical Nord Noratlas above under ''[[#Yom Kippur War|Yom Kippur War]]''. |
* On 29 April 1964, a [[Nord Noratlas|Nord Noratlas 2501D]] of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" from Tel Nof ([[aircraft registration]] ''4X-FAD/044'') was flown into a mountain near the [[Ramon Airbase]]. In this CFIT ([[Controlled flight into terrain]]), all 9 occupants were killed, the two pilots and the 7 passengers. It was the former ''GC+231'' of the [[German Air Force]] (Deutsche Luftwaffe).<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19640429-1|type=|title=Noratlas 4X-FAD/044|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> See also picture of an identical Nord Noratlas above under ''[[#Yom Kippur War|Yom Kippur War]]''. |
||
* On 19 April 1974, two [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopters from Tel Nof collided over the [[Rosh Pina Airport]] in northern Israel. One of the two helicopters was able to land safely, while the other crashed and burst into flames. All eight IDF soldiers on board died. The IAF determined that the cause was human error on the part of one of the pilots, although several helicopters were landing at the same time and the air traffic controller was obviously overwhelmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528011552/http://www.iaf.org.il:80/3657-4989-he/IAF.aspx|title=Two Yas'ur helicopters collide while landing in Mahanayim|website=IAF Website|date=1974-04-19|access-date=2024-11-10|language=he}}</ref> |
|||
* On 10 May 1977, a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopter from Tel Nof [[1977 Israeli Air Force Sikorsky CH-53 crash|crashed]] during a night training exercise in the [[Jordan Valley]], killing all 54 people on board (including the 10-man crew), making it the worst single-aircraft crash in Israel. The crash site was in the [[West Bank]], about 5 kilometers north of [[Jericho]] in a [[wadi]]. The cause was determined to be flying at too low an altitude during the dark, which caused the helicopter to strike a hill, crash and explode (CFIT, [[Controlled flight into terrain]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/judge-blames-pilot-for-helicopter-crash-in-which-54-israelis-died|title=Judge Blames Pilot for Helicopter Crash in Which 54 Israelis Died|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=1977-07-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yv8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6577,2025995&dq=israel+sikorsky+crash|title=Air Crash - Copter Falls Killing 54 Israeli Soldiers|website=The Evening Independent|date=1977-05-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref> |
* On 10 May 1977, a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopter from Tel Nof [[1977 Israeli Air Force Sikorsky CH-53 crash|crashed]] during a night training exercise in the [[Jordan Valley]], killing all 54 people on board (including the 10-man crew), making it the worst single-aircraft crash in Israel. The crash site was in the [[West Bank]], about 5 kilometers north of [[Jericho]] in a [[wadi]]. The cause was determined to be flying at too low an altitude during the dark, which caused the helicopter to strike a hill, crash and explode (CFIT, [[Controlled flight into terrain]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/judge-blames-pilot-for-helicopter-crash-in-which-54-israelis-died|title=Judge Blames Pilot for Helicopter Crash in Which 54 Israelis Died|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=1977-07-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yv8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6577,2025995&dq=israel+sikorsky+crash|title=Air Crash - Copter Falls Killing 54 Israeli Soldiers|website=The Evening Independent|date=1977-05-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref> |
||
[[File:Israeli |
[[File:2024-10-26 Israeli strikes on Iran, F-15D -957 before the attack 2.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' #957 before the [[October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran|Israeli attack on Iran]] during the night of 25-26 October 2024]] |
||
* {{see also|1983 Negev mid-air collision}} In May 1983, an [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' #957 from Tel Nov and an [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' collided in mid-air during an exercise over the [[Negev]] desert in southern Israel. While the A-4 pilot ejected, the two-seat F-15D managed to land safely at nearby [[Ramon Airbase]], despite having its right wing almost completely torn off in the collision. This was only possible because the F-15 pilot turned on the afterburners, compensating for the lack of lift. The landing took place at about twice the normal speed, and the jet only came to a stop shortly before the end of the runway. The aircraft manufacturer [[McDonnell Douglas]] was so impressed by what was happening that it sent over a new right wing free of charge. The aircraft with the number 957 was repaired and put back into service |
* {{see also|1983 Negev mid-air collision}} In May 1983, an [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' #957 from Tel Nov and an [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' collided in mid-air during an exercise over the [[Negev]] desert in southern Israel. While the A-4 pilot ejected, the two-seat F-15D managed to land safely at nearby [[Ramon Airbase]], despite having its right wing almost completely torn off in the collision. This was only possible because the F-15 pilot turned on the afterburners, compensating for the lack of lift. The landing took place at about twice the normal speed, and the jet only came to a stop shortly before the end of the runway. The aircraft manufacturer [[McDonnell Douglas]] was so impressed by what was happening that it sent over a new right wing free of charge. The aircraft with the number 957 was repaired and put back into service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2014/09/15/f-15-lands-with-one-wing/|title=How an Israeli F-15 Eagle managed to land with one wing|website=theaviationist.com|date=2014-09-15|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html|title=CREW'S STORIES: NO WING F15|website=uss-bennington.org|date=2001-08-09|access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref> More than 41 years later it took part in the [[October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran]] (see photo on the right).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%99%D7%97%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9E%D7%94/%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%A2-%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%AA%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%91%D7%94-%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9A-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94/|title=This is what happened during the night of the attack in Iran|website=IDF-Website|date=2024-10-26|access-date=2024-11-12|language=he}}</ref> |
||
* {{see also|1997 Israeli helicopter disaster}} On 4 February 1997, two [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]] ''Ya'sur'' helicopters of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof collided over northern Israel while they were carrying soldiers into the Israeli security zone in [[Southern Lebanon]]. Both planes crashed, killing all 73 people on board - all male military personnel. The two crash sites were located in the [[Moshav]] ''[[She'ar Yashuv]]'' (Today's memorial: {{coord|33.222984|35.641142|region:IL-HA_type:landmark|name=Memorial of the 1997 helicopter crash}}) and in an open field near the [[Kibbutz]] ''[[Dafna]]''. The crash, which represents the worst Israeli aviation disaster to date, sparked nationwide mourning and is considered one of the main reasons for Israel's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnetz.com/wie-eine-decke-ueber-dem-land/|title=Helicopter accident 25 years ago - “Like a blanket over the country”|website=Israelnetz|date=2022-02-04|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref> |
* {{see also|1997 Israeli helicopter disaster}} On 4 February 1997, two [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]] ''Ya'sur'' helicopters of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Riders" from Tel Nof collided in the evening hours over northern Israel while they were carrying soldiers into the Israeli security zone in [[Southern Lebanon]]. Both planes crashed, killing all 73 people on board - all male military personnel. The two crash sites were located in the [[Moshav]] ''[[She'ar Yashuv]]'' (Today's memorial: {{coord|33.222984|35.641142|region:IL-HA_type:landmark|name=Memorial of the 1997 helicopter crash}}) and in an open field near the [[Kibbutz]] ''[[Dafna]]''. The crash, which represents the worst Israeli aviation disaster to date, sparked nationwide mourning and is considered one of the main reasons for Israel's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnetz.com/wie-eine-decke-ueber-dem-land/|title=Helicopter accident 25 years ago - “Like a blanket over the country”|website=Israelnetz|date=2022-02-04|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref> The cause of the accident is believed to be that the two helicopter pilots lost visual contact and orientation with each other as they flew towards the Lebanese border with their lights switched off as required. |
||
<gallery widths="190"> |
<gallery widths="190"> |
||
אסון המסוקים 1.jpg|Remains of one of the two crashed CH-53 helicopters |
אסון המסוקים 1.jpg|Remains of one of the two crashed CH-53 helicopters at [[She'ar Yashuv]] |
||
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster VI.jpg|Debris of the second crashed CH-53 helicopter |
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster VI.jpg|Debris of the second crashed CH-53 helicopter near [[Dafna]] |
||
גופות חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Rescue and transport of victims of the two helicopter crashes |
גופות חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Rescue and transport of victims of the two helicopter crashes |
||
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster funeral.jpg|Funeral of one of the victims with great sympathy |
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster funeral.jpg|Funeral of one of the victims with great sympathy |
||
Line 262: | Line 279: | ||
</gallery> |
</gallery> |
||
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Yasur Crash Site, Romania.jpg|thumb|The crash site in Romania]] |
|||
* On 26 July 2010, a CH-53 helicopter of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] from Tel Nof crashed near the town of [[Brașov]] in [[Romania]] during a Romanian-Israeli military exercise in the [[Carpathian Mountains]]. All seven passengers died: four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics and a Romanian liaison officer. An investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925489,00.html|title=IDF soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash|website=ynetnews.com|date=2010-07-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
* On 26 July 2010, a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopter of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] from Tel Nof crashed near the town of [[Brașov]] in [[Romania]] during a Romanian-Israeli military exercise in the [[Carpathian Mountains]]. All seven passengers died: four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics and a Romanian liaison officer. An investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925489,00.html|title=IDF soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash|website=ynetnews.com|date=2010-07-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> |
||
== See also == |
== See also == |
Latest revision as of 19:21, 12 November 2024
Tel Nof Israeli Air Force Base Air Force Base 8 | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף | |||||||||||||
Rehovot, Central District in Israel | |||||||||||||
Coordinates | 31°50′22.10″N 34°49′18.64″E / 31.8394722°N 34.8218444°E | ||||||||||||
Type | Airbase | ||||||||||||
Site information | |||||||||||||
Owner | Israel Defense Forces | ||||||||||||
Operator | Israeli Air Force | ||||||||||||
Site history | |||||||||||||
Built | 1939 RAF / 1948 IAF | ||||||||||||
In use | 1939 - present | ||||||||||||
Airfield information | |||||||||||||
Identifiers | ICAO: LLEK | ||||||||||||
Elevation | 59 metres (194 ft) AMSL | ||||||||||||
|
Tel Nof Airbase (Hebrew: בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף, English: Lookout hill) (ICAO: LLEK), also known as Air Force Base 8, is the oldest and main base of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) located 5 km south of Rehovot, Israel. Tel Nof houses two strike fighter, two helicopter and a UAV squadron. Also located on the base are the Flight Test Center Manat and several special units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), among others Unit 669 (heliborne Combat Search and Rescue, CSAR) and the Paratroopers Brigade training center and its headquarters.[1]
History
[edit]British Mandate
[edit]Established in July 1939 as RAF Aqir during the British Mandate, it served as the main base for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Palestine. It was named after the Palestinian village Aqir north of it that perished in the 1948 Palestine war and was located in the area of today's Kiryat Ekron.
Operational units from 1941 to 1948
[edit]- No. 6 Squadron between 17 and 24 February 1941 with the Westland Lysander[2]
- No. 10 Squadron detachment (1942) Handley Page Halifax
- No. 11 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 32 Squadron (1946) Supermarine Spitfire IX
- No. 37 Squadron (1945) Consolidated Liberator VI
- No. 45 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 55 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 70 Squadron (1945) Consolidated Liberator VI
- No. 80 Squadron (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
- No. 84 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 113 Squadron (1946–1947) Handley Page Halifax
- No. 159 Squadron (1942) Consolidated Liberator II
- No. 160 Squadron (1942) Consolidated Liberator II
- No. 162 Squadron (1942) Vickers Wellington later Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 208 Squadron (1941) Hawker Audax and (1946) Supermarine Spitfire VIII
- No. 211 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
- No. 215 Squadron (1947) Douglas Dakota I
- No. 221 Squadron detachment (1945) Vickers Wellington XII
- No. 227 Squadron (1942) Handley Page Halifax
- No. 250 Squadron (1941) Curtiss Tomahawk IIB
- No. 294 Squadron detachment (1944) Vickers Wellington IC
- No. 335 (Greek) Squadron (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
- No. 450 Squadron RAAF (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
- No. 620 Squadron (1946) Douglas Dakota and Handley Page Halifax
- No. 621 Squadron (1946) Avro Lancaster ASR.III
- No. 680 Squadron detachment (1945) Fairchild Argus
- No. 76 Operational Training Unit Vickers Wellington - Formed at RAF Aqir on 1 October 1943, equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk.IIIs and Xs to train night bomber crews for squadrons in the Middle East, disbanding on 30 July 1945.[3] 76 OTU, despite operating Wellingtons, were also working up crews for B-24 Liberators. After completion of their course those crews were passed on to Liberator conversion units.[4][5]
Gallery
[edit]-
A Greek pilot in front of a British Hawker Hurricane at RAF Aqir, 1939-1943
-
A 76 OTU Vickers Wellington Mark X at RAF Aqir, 1944-1945
-
Air gunner training at RAF Aqir, 1944-1945
-
Handley Page Halifax, 113 Squadron from RAF Aqir, 1946-1947
Names of the base
[edit]After the British withdrawal from RAF Aqir in 1948, the base was renamed Ekron Airbase after the Israeli village Kiryat Ekron north of it and, from 1950, Tel Nof Airbase (English: Lookout hill). The name "Tel Nof" dates back to the 1930s, when the area was known by this name as an urban development area, similar to the then-thriving "Tel Aviv" (English: Spring hill).
First Israeli fighter aircraft
[edit]On 29 May 1948, the first four fighter aircraft Avia S-199 of the first aircraft squadron 101 "First Fighter" of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) took off from here for their first mission, an attack on the Ad Halom Bridge in the eastern outskirts of Ashdod, which was in the hands of Egyptian troops. Important was less the modest military success of this operation than the shock to the Egyptian soldiers when they saw with their own eyes that Israel now had an Air Force.
On 17 August 1948, Ekron Airbase (later Tel Nof Airbase) was officially and ceremoniously opened. Hatzor Airbase and Ramat David Airbase taken over from the British soon followed. The IAF Flight Academy was installed at Tel Nof in 1955 until it was moved to the newly built Hatzerim Airbase in 1966.[6]
-
Czech Avia S-199 of Israeli 101 Squadron at Ekron Airbase in 1948
Paratroopers Brigade
[edit]During the 1948 Palestine War there was a provisional paratroopers unit in Israel, which was expanded from the beginning of the 1950s into a regular Paratroopers Brigade, whose headquarters and training center is still located at Tel Nof to this day. This brigade and its units has since been involved in many important operations in Israel's wars, such as: the Suez Crisis and the Six-Day War, where the conquest of the Old City of Jerusalem with the capture of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall by Israeli paratroopers was particularly remembered.
-
Soldiers of the Israel Paratroopers Brigade at Tel Nof Airbase in 1955
-
Paratroopers climb aboard en route to Jerusalem on 7 June 1967
-
Israeli paratroopers reach the Western Wall on 7 June 1967
-
Israeli paratroopers are jumping from a Nord Noratlas in 1972
One and a half kilometers west of Tel Nof lies the main Paratroopers Memorial near National Road , which commemorates those who fell in these units (31°50′34″N 34°47′18″E / 31.842728°N 34.788440°E).
-
Inauguration of the Paratroopers Memorial on Yom HaZikaron 1960
-
Moshe Dayan lays a wreath at the Paratroopers Memorial in 1969
-
The Paratroopers Memorial in 2020 west of Tel Nof at National Road 40
-
Training jump of paratroopers shortly before sunset in May 2010
Six-Day War
[edit]As late as the Six-Day War in June 1967, French fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation played a leading role in the IAF, such as the Mystère IV, the Super Mystère and the Mirage III. Some of these were also stationed at Tel Nof at that time. In the mid-1960s, Israel had commissioned Dassault to build an improved version of the Mirage III that was specifically tailored to the needs of the IAF, as they needed a ground attack aircraft in a desert environment. The first examples of this version, called the Mirage 5, were supposed to be delivered in 1967, but this never happened.
The French-built fighter jets – except the Mirage 5 – now on display at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase:
-
A Dassault Mystère IV-A of 116 Squadron "Defenders Of The South" from Tel Nof
-
Dassault Super Mystère B2 Sambad of 105 Squadron "Scorpion", the only IAF squadron with that aircraft
-
A Dassault Mirage III Shahak, also flown by 119 Squadron "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase
-
French Air Force Dassault Mirage 5, of which 50 copies were to be delivered to Israel from 1967
In response to the Six-Day War, the delivery of 50 already produced and largely paid for Dassault Mirage 5 to Israel was stopped by French President Charles de Gaulle, as he no longer wanted to supply new offensive weapons to the former ally. After Israeli commando units blew up 14 Lebanese airliners at Beirut Airport on the evening of 28 December 1968 in Operation Gift, using French transport helicopters Super Frelon from Tel Nof and naval boats supplied by France, de Gaulle then imposed a total arms embargo on Israel.[7][8]
Yom Kippur War
[edit]Despite the embargo Tel Nof Airbase has been steadily expanded over the years, and during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, seven air squadrons operated at the base. While the Six-Day War 1967 was still characterized by French-made fighter aircraft, US ones now dominate.
The seven squadrons at Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War:
- 119 Squadron "Bat" with F-4E Phantom II Kurnass heavy strike fighter jets
- 115 Squadron "Flying Dragon" with A-4H/N Skyhawk Ayit light strike fighter jets
- 116 Squadron "Defenders Of The South" with A-4H/N Skyhawk Ayit light strike fighter jets
- 118 Squadron "Night Riders" with CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur heavy transport helicopters
- 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" with Super Frelon Tzirʿa heavy transport helicopters
- 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" with Bell 205/206 light general-purpose helicopters
- 103 Squadron "Elephants" with Nord Noratlas transport aircraft
US-made airplanes, most of them now at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase:
-
An RF-4E Phantom II Orev of 119 Squadron "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in 1974 just after the Yom Kippur War
-
A-4N & A-4H Skyhawk Ayit (from left) of 147 Squadron "Goring Ram", stationed in two squadrons at Tel Nof
-
CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur of 118 Squadron "Night Riders" from Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War 1973
The total of twelve (or sixteen) Super Frelon Tzirʿa transport helicopters that Israel had received from France before the embargo were stationed in the 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" at Tel Nof from 1966 to 1991 and were retrofitted with more powerful US engines until they were finally all decommissioned. The more than twenty French but German-built Nord Noratlas transport aircraft of the 103 Squadron "Elephants" at Tel Nof were in service there from 1956 to 1978. Most of them were former machines of the German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe) or were built under license in Germany and handed over or delivered to Israel from the early 1960s.
-
French-made Super Frelon Tzirʿa transport helicopter of 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" during the 1960s
-
A Super Frelon transport helicopter, later with US-made engines, at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase
-
A French but German-built Nord Noratlas transport aircraft of 103 Squadron "Elephants"
F-15 Fighter Jets
[edit]Arrival of the F-15
[edit]From 1976, the then new F-15A/B Eagle Baz fighter jets were introduced with 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail", which made Israel the first country in the world outside the United States to possess this aircraft. Because the landing of the first three planes was delayed on that Friday, 10 December 1976, the reception ceremony was also delayed and only ended shortly before the beginning of Shabbat. As a result, some government ministers didn't have enough time to return home before the start of Shabbat. Its "desecration" led to a government crisis and ultimately to the collapse of the coalition of the first government of Yitzhak Rabin.[9]
Nuclear weapons
[edit]It is assumed (e.g. by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) that Israel is in possession of nuclear weapons since the late 1960s and that they are stored at some point at Tel Nof in a specially secured area (presumably here: 31°50′52″N 34°48′53″E / 31.847892°N 34.814606°E) and at the neighboring Sdot Micha Airbase in bunkers (presumably here: 31°45′21″N 34°55′03″E / 31.755783°N 34.917572°E) near the positions of Jericho missiles.[10][11][12][13] Fighter aircraft that can carry such weapons over long distances, like the F-15 Eagle (see gallery below) and once the F-4E Phantom II (see picture above) have been on alert around the clock at the base since the 1970s. This form of deterrence was one of the lessons that Israel learned from the wars with its neighbors, even though the country has not yet admitted that it has nuclear weapons.
Operation Wooden Leg
[edit]On 1 October 1985, under the name Operation Wooden Leg, ten two-seat F-15B/D Eagle Baz from Tel Nof (two of them in reserve) attacked the headquarters of the PLO near Tunis. On their 2,300 km long flight to the destination on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia the F-15s were refueled several times by two Boeing 707 Re'em. The headquarters were completely destroyed and – depending on the source – 50 to 75 PLO fighters were killed, including many leaders, but not Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The action was condemned without dissent in the UNO, and the USA also criticized it because it strained its relationship with Tunisia. The eight F-15 jets from Tel Nof involved received a corresponding symbol (target cross in the red circle with a wooden leg, see picture in the gallery below).[14]
Variants at Tel Nof
[edit]-
One of the first F-15A Eagle Baz of 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase in 2006
-
An F-15D Eagle Baz from Tel Nof involved in Operation Wooden Leg with wooden leg symbol (left to the Star of David) in 2015
-
The F-15I Eagle Ra'am of the Flight Test Center Manat at Tel Nof (see special symbol on tail) during an exhibition in 2017
-
From 2029, fifty F-15IAs, based on the USAF's new F-15EX Eagle II, will replace the aging F-15A/B/C/D Baz at Tel Nof[15]
Today
[edit]Today (2024), Tel Nof is home to two strike fighter jet and two transport helicopter squadrons as well as a drone squadron. Also located there is the Flight Test Center Manat with one example of all aircraft variants (see F-15I Eagle Ra'am in the gallery above and F-35I Adir in the gallery under "Units"). Several special units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are also located there, including Unit 669 heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and the training center for the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade.
- Since January 2019, the so-called "Red Baron" Squadron has been operating at Tel Nof to train Israeli and German soldiers on the IAI Eitan (Heron TP) UAV. IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) has built its own version of this UAV for the German Air Force, whose crews are now being trained by Israeli soldiers and technicians. This unit is the only non-fully Israeli squadron within the IAF.[16]
- In November 2020, a brand-new F-35I Adir from the USA landed directly at Tel Nov. This specially equipped machine will serve as a test platform at the local Flight Test Center Manat for further improvement of this stealth jet (see gallery under "Units").[17]
- At the end of 2021, Israel ordered twelve new CH-53K King Stallion Wild transport helicopters from the US for two billion dollars, which will complement the CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur at Tel Nof in the next few years. In July 2023, the 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" was temporarily closed and merged with the 118 Squadron "Night Riders". The former will reopen in the future and accommodate the new CH-53K King Stallion as they arrive from the United States (see gallery under "Units").[18][19][20][21]
- The aging F-15A/B/C/D Eagle Baz fighter jets at Tel Nof will be replaced in the medium term by new F-15IA (Israel Advanced), which are based on the F-15EX Eagle II. 25 new jets for one squadron have been ordered with the option for 25 more, which will be delivered from 2029. These new, powerful strike fighter jets would be needed to carry heavy bunker-busting bombs that could then be used against Iran's underground nuclear facilities.[22][23] At the same time, at the Hatzerim Airbase 70 kilometers to the south, the 25 F-15I Ra'am jets there are being brought up to the latest F-15I+ standard through fundamental updates.[15][24][25]
- During the Gaza War 2023/24, drones of the type IAI Eitan (Heron TP) from Tel Nof are 24 hours a day in the air over Gaza to provide the IDF with target data for its attacks against positions of the terrorist militia Hamas.[26] According to unofficial sources, these drones are also capable of attacking targets on the ground using guided weapons.
- In the Iranian strikes against Israel on 1 October 2024, 32 missiles hit the Nevatim Airbase,[27] another main target was the Tel Nof Airbase, the Mossad Headquarters and the Glilot base of the Military Intelligence Unit 8200 both north of Tel Aviv. Independent researchers who examined emerging satellite imagery said, it has caused only limited damage.[28][29]
-
The badge of Unit 669 heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), nicknamed "Flying Cats"
-
The badge of the Israeli-German "Red Baron" Squadron at Tel Nof for training on the IAI Eitan UAV
-
ATC Tower at Tel Nof Airbase with a CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur helicopter flying by
Units
[edit]- 106 Squadron "Edge Of The Spear" – operating F-15C/D Eagle Baz[30]
- 114 Squadron "Night Leaders" – temporarily closed until new CH-53K King Stallion Wild arrive from the US[21]
- 118 Squadron "Night Riders" – operating CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur[21]
- 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" – operating F-15C/D Eagle Baz[31]
- 210 Squadron "White Eagle" – operating IAI Eitan UAVs[32][33]
- 5601 Squadron "Flight Test Center" Manat – operating examples of all IAF aircraft[34]
- Unit 555 "Sky Crows" – for Electronic Warfare (EW)[35]
- Unit 669 "Flying Cats" – heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) (at Palmachim also)[36][37][38]
- Unit 888 "Refaim" – combined special operations task force[39]
- Paratroopers Brigade Training Center
- "Red Baron" Squadron – to train Israeli and German crews on the Heron TP Eitan UAV[16]
-
An F-15D Eagle Baz two-seater of 106 Squadron "Edge Of The Spear" about to land at Tel Nof
-
CH-53K King Stallion Wild will be based on Tel Nof in the coming years
-
CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur of 118 Squadron "Night Riders" from Tel Nof
-
A single-seat F-15C Eagle Baz of 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" with four Syrian "Kill Marks"
-
An IAI Eitan UAV of 210 Squadron "White Eagle" from Tel Nof
-
The Tel Nof Flight Test Center Manat gets a special F-35I Adir in 2020
-
Shoulder patch of Unit 555 "Sky Crows" for Electronic Warfare (EW) at Tel Nof
-
The Unit 669 trains the rescue of people with a CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur from Tel Nof
-
Change of command of the multidimensional Unit 888 "Refaim" in July 2021 at Tel Nof
-
Paratroopers rain down over southern Israel in March 2012
-
The Israeli-German "Red Baron" Squadron for UAV training was inaugurated at Tel Nof in 2019
Note: IAF aircraft can usually be assigned to their squadron by the symbols on the tail
Accidents
[edit]- On 29 April 1964, a Nord Noratlas 2501D of 103 Squadron "Elephants" from Tel Nof (aircraft registration 4X-FAD/044) was flown into a mountain near the Ramon Airbase. In this CFIT (Controlled flight into terrain), all 9 occupants were killed, the two pilots and the 7 passengers. It was the former GC+231 of the German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe).[40] See also picture of an identical Nord Noratlas above under Yom Kippur War.
- On 19 April 1974, two CH-53 helicopters from Tel Nof collided over the Rosh Pina Airport in northern Israel. One of the two helicopters was able to land safely, while the other crashed and burst into flames. All eight IDF soldiers on board died. The IAF determined that the cause was human error on the part of one of the pilots, although several helicopters were landing at the same time and the air traffic controller was obviously overwhelmed.[41]
- On 10 May 1977, a CH-53 helicopter from Tel Nof crashed during a night training exercise in the Jordan Valley, killing all 54 people on board (including the 10-man crew), making it the worst single-aircraft crash in Israel. The crash site was in the West Bank, about 5 kilometers north of Jericho in a wadi. The cause was determined to be flying at too low an altitude during the dark, which caused the helicopter to strike a hill, crash and explode (CFIT, Controlled flight into terrain).[42][43]
- F-15D Eagle Baz #957 from Tel Nov and an A-4 Skyhawk Ayit collided in mid-air during an exercise over the Negev desert in southern Israel. While the A-4 pilot ejected, the two-seat F-15D managed to land safely at nearby Ramon Airbase, despite having its right wing almost completely torn off in the collision. This was only possible because the F-15 pilot turned on the afterburners, compensating for the lack of lift. The landing took place at about twice the normal speed, and the jet only came to a stop shortly before the end of the runway. The aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Douglas was so impressed by what was happening that it sent over a new right wing free of charge. The aircraft with the number 957 was repaired and put back into service.[44][45] More than 41 years later it took part in the October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran (see photo on the right).[46] In May 1983, an
- CH-53 Sea Stallion Ya'sur helicopters of 118 Squadron "Night Riders" from Tel Nof collided in the evening hours over northern Israel while they were carrying soldiers into the Israeli security zone in Southern Lebanon. Both planes crashed, killing all 73 people on board - all male military personnel. The two crash sites were located in the Moshav She'ar Yashuv (Today's memorial: 33°13′23″N 35°38′28″E / 33.222984°N 35.641142°E) and in an open field near the Kibbutz Dafna. The crash, which represents the worst Israeli aviation disaster to date, sparked nationwide mourning and is considered one of the main reasons for Israel's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in 2000.[47] The cause of the accident is believed to be that the two helicopter pilots lost visual contact and orientation with each other as they flew towards the Lebanese border with their lights switched off as required. On 4 February 1997, two
-
Remains of one of the two crashed CH-53 helicopters at She'ar Yashuv
-
Debris of the second crashed CH-53 helicopter near Dafna
-
Rescue and transport of victims of the two helicopter crashes
-
Funeral of one of the victims with great sympathy
-
Portrait photos of all 73 victims of the accident
-
Memorial in Migdal HaEmek
-
Memorial in She'ar Yashuv, one of the two crash sites
- On 26 July 2010, a CH-53 helicopter of 118 Squadron from Tel Nof crashed near the town of Brașov in Romania during a Romanian-Israeli military exercise in the Carpathian Mountains. All seven passengers died: four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics and a Romanian liaison officer. An investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error.[48]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Tel Nof / RAF Aqir". IAF-Website. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ Jefford 1988, p. 25.
- ^ IWM CM 5756
- ^ "76 Otu - 21-9-1944".
- ^ Sturtivant & Hamlin 2007, p. 205.
- ^ "Tel Nof". Global Security. Retrieved 6 February 2009.
- ^ "Naher Osten / de Gaulle: Nichts schreiben". Der Spiegel (in German). 12 January 1969. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Frankreich: Stern übermalt". Der Spiegel (in German). 21 November 1971. Retrieved 15 August 2024.
- ^ "Once it was F-15s on Shabbat; now, hametz: The religious issues that end governments". The Times Of Israel. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 13 October 2024.
- ^ "Tel Nof Airbase – Facilities – NTI". Nuclear Threat Initiative. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "Tel Nof / Tel Nov - Israel Airfields". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
- ^ "The Phantom of Dimona". Spiegel-Online (in German). 25 January 2004. Retrieved 24 February 2024.
- ^ "Israeli nuclear weapons, 2021". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ "The Long Leg". WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Israel Officially Cleared To Buy 50 New F-15IAs, Upgrade 25 F-15Is". The War Zone. 14 August 2024. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
- ^ a b "The IAF Squadron that trains German Crews". IAF-Website. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental "Adir"". IAF-Website. 11 November 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "The IAF's Future Helicopter". IAF-Website. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Israel wählt CH-53K". Flugrevue (in German). 26 February 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Israel unterschreibt für CH-53K und KC-46A". Flugrevue (in German). 1 January 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ a b c "End of period - 114th Squadron merged with 118th Squadron". IAF-Website. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Senior Boeing official in Israel to push sale of advanced F-15 jets for Iran strike". The Times Of Israel. 20 February 2023. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
- ^ "F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?". The War Zone. 3 April 2024. Retrieved 4 April 2024.
- ^ "Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters". The War Zone. 7 November 2024. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Contract signed to purchase 25 modern F-15IA aircraft from Boeing". Israel Defense (in Hebrew). 9 November 2024. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "The Israeli Air Force's Heron UAV Squadron: the IDF's Largest Target Provider". Israel Defense. 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "Iranian Missiles Overwhelmed Israeli Defenses at Some Sites, Analysts Say". The Wall Street Journal. 4 October 2024.
- ^ "Iran cites international law as justification for attack on Israel as regional tensions flare". www.jurist.org. 1 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
- ^ "Iran Exposed to Israeli Counterattack After Blows Against Its Allies". The Wall Street Journal. 3 October 2024.
- ^ "The Edge Of The Spear Squadron". IAF-Website. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Knights Of The Twin Tail Squadron". IAF-Website. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ ""White Eagle" Squadron Looking Ahead". IAF-Website. 29 December 2015. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "The 210th Squadron Turns 10". IAF-Website. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "IAF Flight Test Center Photo Gallery". xnir on pbase.com. 7 December 2006. Retrieved 9 November 2024.
- ^ "And they struck them with blindness". The Jerusalem Post. 29 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Unit 669". IDF-Website. 27 December 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "A Rare Peek into SAR Unit 669". IAF-Website. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "Officially Cats: End of 669 Course". IAF-Website. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
- ^ "Such a unit has not existed in the IDF - until today". IDF website (in Hebrew). 1 January 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ description for Noratlas 4X-FAD/044 at the Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved on 2023-09-26.
- ^ "Two Yas'ur helicopters collide while landing in Mahanayim". IAF Website (in Hebrew). 19 April 1974. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
- ^ "Judge Blames Pilot for Helicopter Crash in Which 54 Israelis Died". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. 11 July 1977. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "Air Crash - Copter Falls Killing 54 Israeli Soldiers". The Evening Independent. 11 May 1977. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ "How an Israeli F-15 Eagle managed to land with one wing". theaviationist.com. 15 September 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "CREW'S STORIES: NO WING F15". uss-bennington.org. 9 August 2001. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "This is what happened during the night of the attack in Iran". IDF-Website (in Hebrew). 26 October 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
- ^ "Helicopter accident 25 years ago - "Like a blanket over the country"". Israelnetz (in German). 4 February 2022. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
- ^ "IDF soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash". ynetnews.com. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
Bibliography
[edit]- Jefford, C. G. (1988). RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912. Shrewsbury: Airlife. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
- Playfair, Major-General I.S.O.; Molony, Brigadier C.J.C.; with Flynn, Captain F.C. (R.N.) & Gleave, Group Captain T.P. (2009) [1st. pub. HMSO:1954]. Butler, Sir James (ed.). The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume I: The Early Successes Against Italy, to May 1941. History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series. Uckfield, UK: Naval & Military Press. ISBN 978-1-84574-065-8.
- Sturtivant, R.; Hamlin, J. (2007). Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912. UK: Air-Britain (Historians). ISBN 978-0851-3036-59.
External links
[edit]- Aeroflight World Airforces
- The RAF in Palestine Archived 6 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine