One of three F-15I's from 69 Sqn that visited RAF Waddington in June 2001

One of the other F-15I's at Waddington in June 2001. The 3rd airframe was serial 244

The F-15I Strike Eagle entered IAF service in 1998 and is known as the Ra'am (Thunder). It has all weather, low level strike capability combined with an air to air defence suite utilising Python 3 & 4, Sidewinder, Sparrow and AMRAAM missiles.  The F-15I is regarded as the most effective F-15 available anywhere in the world and has an APG-70 radar, LANTIRN capability and conformal fuel tanks allowing a range in excess of 4,000 miles.

The F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) is very similar to the F-15E but the F-15I has some avionics systems specifically adapted to meet Israeli requirements. To facilitate night-time strikes, the F-15I's were initially fitted with the Sharpshooter targeting pods which were designed for Israeli F-16's. The Sharpshooter pod is less capable than the LANTIRN pods used on the F-15E, so when the United States allowed Israel to buy LANTIRN's they took the offer. This purchase completed the F-15I's night vision suite, with 30 LANTIRN pods eventually delivered. The F-15I's were delivered without Radar Warning Receivers, but Israel installed its own electronic warfare equipment. The F-15I's missing electronics have been replaced by the Israeli Elisra SPS-21100 Integrated Electronic Warfare System. A central computer and embedded GPS/INS system have also been fitted. The Ra'am's advanced systems include an APG-70 radar with terrain mapping capability.

Douglas A-4N Skyhawk from 102 Sqn, The Flying Tigers

Israel has flown several versions of the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk. A light, short range attack and close support aircraft intended for the US Navy and Marine Corps it entered service with the IAF in 1967 and still soldiers on in fairly large numbers today. It entered service mainly because the French Government embargoed the delivery of 50 Mirage 5's that were on order. The specially developed H model was first to enter service, followed by the A-4N with an improved engine, better cockpit visbility and a 30mm cannon.

The A-4 (Ahit) was initially scheduled for retirement in 2005 but this has now been delayed until around 2010. To prepare for this an upgrade programme has commenced to 'Ahit Meshupar' (Improved Eagle) standard, which includes an aviaonics upgrade with a Ring Laser Gyro and GPS based navigation system, a Head Up Display (HUD) and an improved weapons management and delivery system. This should see the Ahit M extend its life to between 2015 and 2020.

Another resident unit at Hatzerim is 123 Sqn with the UH-60A . This one is in the old black scheme, which is being replaced by a desert camo.

The IAF received its first ten Black Hawks in 1994. The Black Hawks were a gift from the American administration and had been manufactured in the years 1977 to 1979, and had been retired from active service in the US Army three weeks before their arrival in Israel. In the months that followed their arrival, the Black Hawks were modified to Israeli configuration specs and retrofitted with a number of advanced systems.  In the course of 1998 the IAF acquired additional Black Hawks from Sikorsky, which had modified some of the systems in accordance with the IAF's specifications. The modifications were mostly in the communications systems and the electronic warfare systems.

The Israeli Aircraft Industries Tsukit is used in the selection process in the IAF Flight School and and for training cadets. It was developed from the French Fouga Magister, that had served the IAF as both a jet combat plane and a trainer since 1960. The first prototype of the Tzukit took to the air in September 1980 and was handed over to the IAF in May of 1981 for initial testing.

Bell OH-58B Kiowa from FTS. These are Hatzerim (West) residents

Palmachim Air Base

Palmachim is home to the Israeli Air Force Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra squadrons. 160 Squadron (First Attack Helicopter Squadron) and 161 Squadron (Fighting Family Squadron). Palmachim also houses an Unmanned Aeriel Vehicle (UAV) squadron, utilising a variety of aircraft and 124 Squadron flying the Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk. Since our visit in 2005 number 161 Squadron has relocated to Ovda in the extreme south of the country to form a new 'Aggressor' unit.

Bell AH-1F from 161 Sqn based at Palmachim (all aircraft carry the snake on the fuselage)

The Bell AH-1 Cobra entered service with the Israeli Air Force in April 1975, with the first squadron forming in 1978. Within a year they saw service in the Lebanon. In 1985 a second squadron was formed and further US Army-surplus AH-1F's were received in November 1996. All Israeli Cobras have been retro-fitted with an infra-red optical system which enables night vision capability.

Nose shot of the same AH-1 Cobra

160 Sqn Bell AH-1F Cobra (as with 161 Sqn all the aircraft carry a snake on the fuselage)

Bell AH-1F from 160 Sqn, sister squadron to 161 Sqn at Palmachim

Tel Nof Air Base

Home to the F-15A/B/C & D Eagles of the Israeli Air Force with both 106 sqn and 133 squadron. The base also houses the Flight Test Centre (otherwise known as 601 Sqn) and a couple of CH-53 helicopter squadrons in the shape of 114 and 118 Squadrons.

The first F-15A arrived in Israel on 10th December 1976. In 1995 the Heyl Ha'avir embarked upon the the 'Baz-2000' program for improving the F-15's and readying them for the 21st century. The program involved changes in the avionics systems. The improvements include upgrading the cockpit controls that display data received from the radar and additional sensors that the plane is fitted with. The old weapons computer was replaced by a newer model, similar to that installed in the F-15I's.

Tel Nof based F-15C Eagle from 133 Sqn, note the  two Syrian Mig kills

McDonnell-Douglas F-15C Eagle of 106 Sqn, 133 Sqn's partner at Tel Nof

McDonnell-Douglas F-4E Phantom seen at Tel Nof.

The 'Kurnas' (Sledgehammer) as it is known in the IAF entered service in 1969 and has been credited with more than 100 kills. Its most famous actions took place during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when over 500 attacks took place against Egyptian and Syrian targets. The Israeli Air Force decided to upgrade their F-4's to Kurnas 2000 standard and it entered service in April 1989. The new Norden APG-76 synthetic aperture multi-mission radar, Kaiser wide angle HUD along with various other avionics updates made the Kurnas 2000 a very different aircraft to the original F-4E Phantom.

McDonnell-Douglas F-4E Phantom with 3 Syrian Mig kills on the nose. As far as we were aware all the F-4 Phantoms had been withdrawn by 2005, however this example certainly looked in flying condition and may well have still been operated by the Flight Test Centre.

Flight Test Centre / 601 Sqn F-16D based at Tel Nof

Sikorsky CH-53 'Yas'ur 2000' of 114 Sqn from Tel Nof

The CH-53 is the IAF's main transport helicopter, entering service in 1969.  The first Yas'ur 2000 is an upgraded version of the CH-53 and made its maiden flight in June 1992, by the end of that year it was handed over to the IAF, which began testing it at its Test Flight Center.

The Yas'ur 2000 upgrade project ended in 1997 and is considered to have lengthened the helicopters lifespan by two decades or more. Besides the avionics, other changes have been effected, with the purpose of improving the Yas'ur's flight performance, and making its maintenance easier. These modifications include reinforcement of the airframe, new and improved wiring, and a more efficient design of the passenger bay. Better prisms improve the helicopters carrying power, and new self defense systems, including flares against heat seeking missiles, contribute to its robustness.

Sde Dov Air Base

On the outskirts of Tel Aviv, Sde Dov is also a civilian airfiled but houses the fleet of Beech Kingairs and RC-12's of the Israeli Air Force. The recently acquired Beech A36 Bonanzas of 135 Squadron are also based here, having replaced the SOCATA TB.20 Trinidad.

Beech A36 Bonanza of 135 Sqn which replaced the SOCATA TB.20's at Sde Dov.

The Israeli Air Force used an earlier version of the Beechcraft Bonanza between 1948 and 1954. The A36 Bonanza (Hebrew title Hofit) commenced delivery in November 2004 and all eighteen were at Sde Dov by May 2005. Six more options were quickly taken up and delivery of these additional aircraft commenced in July 2005. Although technically based at Sde Dov with 135 Squadron several aircraft are used as base hacks and carry the badge of the relevant air base.

Lod Air Base/Ben Gurion International A/P

The Lockheed C-130's and Boeing 707 tanker/transport's of the Israeli Air Force are based here along with the three IAI Seascans of number 195 Squdaron. The Boeing 707's are rather inconspicuous in appearance having all now taken up a rather plain white/grey scheme with no markings other than a small serial on the nose.

120 Sqn Boeing KC 707seen at it's home base of Lod/Ben Gurion.

The Boeing 707 is used in both tanker and transportroles and has also been converted to ECM/ELINT versions.

The Boeing 707's service in the IAF began in the Yom Kippur War, during which it was used for flying armed personnel to Refidim and other airfields in the Sinai. After the war, several planes were purchased from TWA and other airlines, and additional 707s were leased from the Israel Aircraft Industries. From 1983 on, the Boeings began to carry out midair refueling of fighters, thus lengthening the IAF's range. The Re'em participated in several of the IAF's long range strikes, including the raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis and in 1991 six of the planes took part in Operation Shlomo, for bringing Ethiopian Jews to Israel.

The Israeli's operate a mix of C-130E and H models of the Hercules which are pooled between 103 & 131 Sqn. It has been in service since 1971 and the IAF has also utilised the KC-130 version to re-fuel its fighters and CH-53 helicopters.

The Lockheed C-130 Hercules played a major role in Operation Entebbe, also known as the Yonatan Operation, a counter-terrorism hostage-rescue mission carried out by the Israel Defense Forces at Entebbe Airport in Uganda on the night of 3 July and early morning of 4 July 1976. In the wake of the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 by members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the hijackers threats to kill the hostages if their prisoner release demands were not met, a plan was drawn up to airlift the hostages to safety. These plans took into account the likelihood of armed resistance from the resident Ugandan military. Three hostages and 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed during the operation, whilst five Israeli commandos were wounded.  A fourth hostage was later murdered by Ugandan army officers at a nearby hospital.

IAI Seascan number 927 from 195 Sqn taxying out at Lod.

The Seascan is a maritime reconnaissance aircraft developed in  the1970's. It has a range of over 3,000 km and three such aircraft are operated by the IAF. Israel decided to develop the plane after the terror attack at the Savoy Hotel in Tel Aviv during March 1975, in which eight terrorists reached the shore in a rubber dinghy without being spotted. Although they are operated by the IAF it is the Israeli Navy that decides when and where to deploy them. The Seascan has a crew complement of seven: a pilot, co-pilot and navigator from the Air Force, and a mission commander and three more crew from the Navy.

A maritime reconnaissance flight by the Seascan usually lasts several hours. Since their entry into service, the Seascans have assisted in the capture of terrorist boats and in the prevention of planned terror attacks. The planes were also involved in rescues of civilian vessels in distress on high seas, and in reporting ships that were polluting the waters. 

Ramat David Air Base

Ramat David houses three F-16C/D squadrons (109, 110 and 117) plus the five Aerospatiale AS.565MA's of 193 Squadron. The IAF operate the F-16 Fighting Falcon in several guises (F-16A, B. C. D and I models).  It is a true multi-role fighter aircraft and is used in both attack and air superiority roles. The first four F-16 Fighting Falcons arrived at Ramat David Air Base on 2nd July 1980. Within a year of entering service the Israeli F-16's attacked an Iraqi nucleur reactor on 7th June 1981 under Operation Opera, destroying it completely. In Operation Peace for Galilee they achieved 40 kills against Syrian aircraft in the course of the operation against SAM's in the Beka'a Valley.

Two-seat F-16D Viper from 109 Sqn seen at Ramat David. The squadron only operates this particular model and not the F-16C.

General Dynamics F-16C from 110 Sqn, one of several squadrons based at Ramat David Air Base

F-16C number 341 of 117 Squadron at Ramat David

117 Sqn (First Jet Squadron)                                                                                            109 Sqn (Valley Squadron)

AS.565MA Panther of 193 Sqn.

These aircraft entered service in 1996 and are utilised on board the Israeli Navy Sa'ar 5 Class Corvettes, carrying out a variety of missions such as rescue and reconnaissance. The AS.565 Panther was selected primarily to fit in with the confined physical dimensions of the Israeli Navy's Corvettes missile patrol boats.

Ramon Air Base

Ramon Air Base is home to the AH-64A Apache's of 190 Squadron together with 119 Squadron (Bats) and 253 Squadron (Iron Bird) operating the new F-16I's, the most recent addition to the Israeli Air Force inventory.

AH-64A Apache of 190 Sqn in the new desert scheme based at Ramon.

The Apache is a twin-seat combat helicopter capable of day and night operations. The AH-64A entered service in1990. Delivered in an olive drab paint scheme, optimally designed for night operations, they are currently undergoing a repaint process into the multi-purpose camouflage pattern as seen in the photograph above. The AH-64A has a PVNS night vision system, an optical TADS for laser targeting and designation to guide the Apaches AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, of which up to 16 can be carried. It also carries a 30mm M230 cannon with 1200 rounds.

The Isareli Air Force are currently undertaking delivery of the more advanced AH-64D Apache Longbow,  service introduction commencing on 10th April 2005 at Ramon Air Base with 113 Squadron.

Newly delivered F-16I from 119 Sqn 'Bats'. The 'Bat' squadron was the second F-16I unit to be activated on December 28th 2004.

The first F-16I unit formed was 253 Squadron and both units are are based at Ramon Air Base in the Negev Desert.

The F-16I 'Sufa' (Storm) as can be seen above carries the Conformal Fuel Tanks (CFT's), which add 1,350kg of additional fuel capacity and increase range by up to 160km in a low altitude mission profile. The F-16I is a multi-role fighter aircraft introduced from 2004 and has Mach 2 low altitude capability and can use a variety of weapons systems such as the Rafael Python 4 and AIM-120 AMRAAM air to air missiles, JDAM bombs and RITA (Rafael Inertial Terrain Aided) navigation pod. Initially the F-16I's will utilise the LANTIRN navigation pod until RITA comes on line when full opeartional status is achieved. As with some Israeli Air Force F-16D's it also makes use of an additional avionics compartment in an enlarged dorsal spine.

119's sister squadron at Ramon is 253 'The Negev' Squadron, also operating the F-16I. The F-16I's are being delivered

under the Peace Marble V contract signed in 2000.

Thanks for arranging our visits go to the following:-

David Weinrich

Israeli Defence Force Air Force