The last addition to the IASF fighter force is this F-16I Sufa, based on the F-16D but heavily modified with Israeli-designed systems. Clearly visible are the Conformal Fuel Tanks and the larger 600-gallons underwing fueltanks giving it a unprecendented range, equal to the F-15I Ra'am. Heart of the weapon systems is the AGP-68(V)X Radar, which has a Synthetic Aperture Radar mode, enabling the tracking of ground targets day or night, at any type of weather. It has a Elta satellite communication system for long range communication inside the enlarged spine, next to an advanced electronic warfare systems developed in Israel. Between 2004 and 2009, 102 F-16Is were delivered to the IASF and used for four squadrons.
-
|
Haifa (LLHA)
|
Rwy: 16/34
Pos: 32°35'50"N 035°13'36"E
Elev: 28ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| - |
Various |
|
|
Haifa houses the Technical School and uses many different airplanes, retired or active.
|
|
|
Training of future fighter pilots on the venerable 1960s Tzukit jet had to end. After a long evaluation, a order was placed for 20 T-6A Texan II turboprop-trainers.
Delivery started in July 2009, with the aircraft routed through Europe on its way to Hatzerim. This routing included the Belgium airport of Oostende where this picture was taken. In July 2010 the fleet of Efroni's was grounded after a loss-of-control incident during landing at Hatzerim.
Wim Houquet
|
Hatzerim (LLHB)
|
Rwy: 10L/28R, 10R/28L, 32/14
Pos: 31°14'00"N 034°39'45"E
Elev: 725 |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 69sq |
F-15I Ra'am |
The Hammers Squadron |
 |
| 102sq |
A-4N AhitM
TA-4H AhitM
TA-4J AhitM |
The Flying Tigers Squadron |
 |
| 107sq |
F-16I Sufa |
Knights of the Orange Tail Squadron |
 |
| 123sq |
S-70A-50 Yanshuf 3
S-70A-55 Yanshuf 3
UH-60A Yanshuf 3 |
The Southern Bells Squadron |
 |
FTS
(Flight Training School) |
G-102A-1 Snunit
Tzukit
T-6A Efroni
OH-58B Saifan
AH-1F Tsefa C |
|
 |
| Aerobatic Team |
Tzukit |
|
 |
123sq has regular detachments at Betzet and Haifa (LLHA).
Hatzerim houses the IASF Museum and a storage area, full of F-4s, Kfirs, Skyhawks and H500s.
|
|
|
With a dire need to replace the Bell212 helicopters, ten US Army surplus UH-60As were delivered in August 1994. First combat use was in April 1996 during operation "Grapes of Wrath" against the Hizbullah in southern Lebanon. More Yanshufs were needed and in 1997 15 newly-built S-70A-50s were ordered and delivered. At this stage 124sq became a all-Yanshuf squadron. In 2000 another 24 Yanshufs were ordered in the S-70A-55 variant. All were added to the inventory of 123sq. Some Yanshufs have been modified externally with long-range tanks and in-flight refuelling probe. All Yanshufs are modified internally with indigious equipment.
-
|
Hatzor (LLHS)
|
Rwy: 05/23, 11L/29R, 11R/29L.
Pos: 31°45'45"N 034°43'37"E
Elev: 148ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 101sq |
F-16C-40-CF Barak |
The First Fighter Squadron |
 |
| 105sq |
F-16D-40-CF Barak |
The Scorpion Squadron |
 |
|
|
Nevatim (LLNV)
|
Rwy: 15/33, 08L/26R, 08C/26C , 08R/26L.
Pos: 31°12'30"N 035°00'44"E
Elev: 1330ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 116sq |
F-16A-10-CF Netz
F-16B-10-CF Netz |
Defenders of the South Squadron |
 |
| 140sq |
F-16A-05-CF Netz
F-16B-10-CF Netz |
The Golden Eagle Squadron |
 |
| 103sq |
C-130E Karnaf
C-130H Karnaf
KC-130H Karnaf |
The Elephants Squadron |
 |
| 120sq |
B707 Phalcon
KC707 Re'em
IAI1124N Shachaf |
The International Squadron |
 |
| 122sq |
G550 Nanchshon Aitam
G-V Nachshon Shavit |
The Dakota Squadron |
 |
| 131sq |
C-130E Karnaf
C-130H Karnaf
KC-130H Karnaf |
The Yellow Bird Squadron |
 |
|
|
The Flying Tigers squadron operates the A-4 AhitM from Hatzerim for advanced IASF Lead-In Fighter Training. Although the aircraft were delivered in the seventies, it has been modified repeatedly, including service-life extensions. Noteworthly is the extended exhaust, an IASF-only update. Replacement of the Ahit is on the IASF's wishlist for some time, especially after maintenance problems in March 2010.
-
|
Ovda (LLOV)
|
Rwy: 02L/20R, 02R/20L
Pos: 29°56'25"N 034°56'09"E
Elev: 1492ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 115sq |
F-16A-05-CF Netz
F-16A-10-CF Netz
AH-1F Tsefa C |
The Flying Dragon Squadron |
 |
Ovda has also a storage area with A-4E, A-4H, A-4N, F-4E, Kfir C7, F-15A, CH-53 and H500MD/TOW.
|
|
|
Palmachim (LL01)
|
Rwy: 03/21, 13/31
Pos: 31°53'52"N 034°41'27"E
Elev: 98ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 124sq |
S-70A-50 Yanshuf 3
S-70A-55 Yanshuf 3 |
The Rolling Sword Squadron |
 |
| 160sq |
AH-1F Tsefa C
AH-1S Tsefa A |
The Southern Attack Squadron |
 |
| 166sq |
Hermes 450 Zik |
The UAV Squadron |
 |
| 200sq |
Heron Shoval |
The First UAV Squadron |
 |
124sq has regular detachments at Betzet and Haifa (LLHA).
160sq has regular detachments at Biraneet.
|
|
|
Ramat David (LLRD)
|
Rwy: 09/27, 15/33, 11/29
Pos: 32°39'38"N 035°10'05"E
Elev: 185ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 109sq |
F-16D-30-CF Barak
F-16D-40-CF Barak |
The Valley Squadron |
 |
| 110sq |
F-16C-30-CF Barak |
Knights of the North Squadron |
 |
| 117sq |
F-16C-30-CF Barak |
The First Jet Squadron |
 |
| 193sq |
AS565MA Atalef |
Defenders of the West Squadron |
 |
|
|
The IASF operates five AS565MA Atalef helicopters on behalf of the Israeli Navy. The helicopters operate from the Israeli navy's missile boats including the new Sa'ar 5 boats. The crew consist of a IASF commander and co-pilot but has a Naval Weapon System Operator who also maintains contact with all naval vessels. Operations with the newest vessels is restricted by these older helicopters, replacement by a newer type is on the IASF wishlist.
Hans Rolink
|
Ramon (LLRM)
|
Rwy: 07L/25R, 07R/25L
Pos: 30°46'34"N 034°40'00"E
Elev: 2126ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 113sq |
AH-64D Saraf |
The Hornet Squadron |
 |
| 119sq |
F-16I Sufa |
The Bat Squadron |
 |
| 190sq |
AH-64A Peten |
The Magic Touch Squadron |
 |
| 201sq |
F-16I Sufa |
The One Squadron |
 |
| 253sq |
F-16I Sufa |
The Negev Squadron |
 |
|
|
The IASF operates two types of attack helicopters, in different variants, being the AH-1F and AH-1S Tsefa, the AH-64A Peten and the AH-64D Saraf. The latter is shown here at its homebase Ramon. The D-model can be recognized by the radar dome on top of the rotor; this is the AN/APG-78 Longbow millimeter-wave Fire Control Radar. The AH-64D incorporates many Israeli-desiged systems and at least nine older AH-64A helicopters are upgraded into this D-model.
Hans Rolink
|
Sde Dov / Tel Aviv-Dov Hoz AP (LLSD)
|
Rwy: 03/21
Pos: 32°06'45"N 034°46'53"E
Elev: 43ft |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 100sq |
Beech B200 Zufit 1
Beech B200T Zufit 2 |
The Flying Camel Squadron |
 |
| 135sq |
Raytheon A36 Chofit
Beech B200T Zufit 4
Beech B200T Zufit 5
Beech B200CT Zufit 3
RC-12D Kookiyah
RC-12K Kookiyah |
The Kings of the Air Squadron |
 |
|
|
Many variants of the Beech 200 light transporter are in use with the IASF and all are based at Sve Dov. The Beech 200 variants are called Zufit 1-5 while the RC-12 variant are called Kookiyah. Four Zufit-1 and five Zufit-2 aircraft are used for transport, five Zufit-3 are used for IMINT duties while three Zufit-4 are used for maritime patrol. The latter is shown here. The last five Zufit-5 are again used for transport, including two for VIP transport in a white colourscheme, but also for multi-engine training. Five RC-12D and two RC-12K aircraft are used for EW, ELINT, SIGINT and Combat Support duties.
-
|
|
Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion IAP/Lod (LLBG)
|
Rwy: 12/30, 03/21. 08/26
Pos: 32°00'41"N 034°53'12"E
Elev: 135 |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| - |
|
|
|
IAI has its production line at Ben Gurion IAP, including updates to foreign Kfirs. Besides this, there is a IAI storage line including Kfirs, Skyhawks and MiG-21s. Also, there are still some B707s and C-130s stored.
|
|
|
Tel Nof (LLEK)
|
Rwy: 18/36, 15L/33R, 15R/33L
Pos: 31°50'22"N 034°49'18"E
Elev: 193 |
|
|
| Squadron |
Aircraft Type(s) |
Name |
Badge |
| 106sq |
F-15B Baz
F-15C Baz
F-15D Baz |
The Point of the Spear Squadron |
 |
| 114sq |
CH-53 2000 Yas'ur
CH-53 2025 Yas'ur |
The Night Leaders Squadron |
 |
| 118sq |
CH-53 2000 Yas'ur
CH-53 2025 Yas'ur |
The Nocturnal Birds of Prey Squadron |
 |
| 133sq |
F-15A Baz
F-15B Baz
F-15D Baz |
Knights of the Twin Tail Squadron |
 |
| 210sq |
Heron TP Eitan |
The Eitan UAV Squadron |
 |
| Unit 669 |
CH-53 2000 Yas'ur |
|
 |
| MANAT |
F-16A-10-CF Netz
F-16B-10-CF Netz
F-16C-30-CF Barak
F-16D-40-CF Barak
F-16I Sufa
F-15I Ra'am
Tzukit |
|
 |
Unit 669 is also known as the Air Force Aeromedical Rescue and Evacuation Unit.
MANAT stands for Flight Test Center (FTC), formerly known as 601sq.
|
|
|
The IASF is faced with a diversity of adversaries, including hostile nations and terrorist organizations at a distance. To cope with these threats, the IASF is equipped and trained for long-range warfare. The assault helicopter for these missions is the CH-53 Yas'ur which can be refuelled in air. One mission included the rescue of stranded Israeli sailers form a yacht near the coast of Sudan. The first CH-53 arrived in 1969 and many followed afterwards. In 1997 all had been updated to the Yas'ur 2000 variant while at the moment another extensive upgrade knwon as Yas'ur 2025 is in progress extending its service life until 2025.
-
|
