Israeli Air Force

The Adir Division consisting of 116, 117 and 140 Squadrons is based at Nevatim AB. Seen here is F-35I Adir from 117 'First Jet' Squadron. 117 Squadron has 2 F-35I on loan from 116 and 140 Squadron. Finally 117 Tayeset will be fully equipped with F-35I.

Shay Finkelman

The F-35I Adir has proved its capability during a bombing raid on Iranian Quds Force convoy in Syria in February 2020. Seen here is an F-35I Adir from 140 Tayeset during the landing.

Shay Finkelman

For longrange missions the IAF can rely on 69 'The Hammers' Sqn flying F-15I Ra'am aircraft from Hatzerim AB. Seen here is Ra'am 269 landing at Nellis AFB during 'Red Flag'.

Stephan de Bruijn

For advanced training duties the IAF is flying the M346i Lavi within 102 'The Flying Tiger' Sqn at Hatzerim. 102 Sqn is part of the IAF Academy.

Dino van Doorn

The premier fighting unit of the IAF, the 101 'The First Fighter' Sqn, is operating the F-16C/D Barak from Ramat David. In 2021 this unit moved together with 105 Tayeset from Hatzor to north Isreal.

Jonathan Verschuuren

Many variants of the Beech 200 are operating in 100 'The Flying Camel' Sqn at Hatzor. 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.

-

The C-130J Shimshon is operating in the IAF within 103 'The Elephant' Sqn at Nevatim AB. Together with 131 'The Knights of the Yellow Bird' Sqn (C-130H Karnaf) these units are the backbone of the Tactical Transport Division.

Jim Walg

The IAF operates the Nachson aircraft in three types in 122 'The Nachson' Sqn at Nevatim AB. Three Nachson Shavits are being used for SIGINT missions. Seen here is one of the four Nachson Eitans being used as AEW.

Jonathan Verschuuren

Since August 1994 the IAF operates two squadrons (123 and 124 Sqn) flying UH-60A/L and S-70 Yanshuf from Palmachim AB. Both units were involved in military missions of the Israeli Defence Force.

-

Future helicopter pilots has got their training on the Bell206B Saifan of the IAF Academy at Hatzerim AB.

Oren Rozen

The Israeli Air Force operates the Hermes 450 Zik in 161 Squadron from Palmachim airbase for reconnaissance and intelligence missions.

Amit Agronov

For longrange reconnaissance or attack missions, the Israeli Air Force operates the Hermes 900 Kochav in 166 Squadron from Palmachim airbase.

IDF

The Jet Fighter Division operates from Ramat David AB. Three squadrons (101, 105 and 109 Sqn) are based here. Seen here is F-16D 676 from 105 'The Scorpion' Sqn, since August 2021 flying from Ramat David AB.

Jonathan Verschuuren

The Israeli AF operates four AS565MA Atalef helicopters in 193 Sqn on behalf of the Israeli Navy from Ramat David AB. In 2022 the helicopters will be replaced by SH-60F Seahawk helicopters and probably based at Palmachim AB.

Hans Rolink

The Israeli AF operates two types of Apache attack helicopters in two squadrons. The 113 Hornet Squadron operates the AH-64D Longbow 'Saraf' and the 190 'Magic Touch' operates the AH-64A Peten from Ramon AB. Both units have been actively used in operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Seen here is AH-64D 736 from 113 Sqn.

Hans Rolink

The IAF operates a Sufa Division consisting of four squadrons (107, 119, 201, 253) flying with F-16I Sufa. The F-16I is based on the F-16D but heavily modified with Israeli-designed systems. The IAF Sufas are based at Ramon AB and Hatzerim AB. Seen here is F-16I Sufa of 253 'The Negev' Squadron, landing at Ramon AB.

-

For longrange attack or reconnaissance duties, 200 Squadron operates the Heron Shoval from Hatzor airbase. The Heron Shoval is being used for the Israeli Air Force, but also for the Israeli Navy.

IDF

The RPV Division of the Israeli Air Force operates different kinds of unmanned aerial systems for specific missions. Seen here is a Heron TP Eitan from 210 Squadron from Tel Nof airbase.

Amit Agronov

The Baz division operates the F-15C/D Baz in two squadrons (106 and 133 Sqn) at Tel Nof AB. Seen here is F-15C Baz 802 from 133 'Knights of the Twin Tail' Sqn participating in Blue Flag at Ovda AB

Dino van Doorn (Ovda, Nov 2017)

From 2019, the F-35I Adir 824 is operational within MANAT, the IAF Test and Evaluation unit at Tel Nof AB. The F-35I is equipped with specific Israeli electronics which makes the F-35I a very mystic and unique.

IDF (X, Feb2024)

For assault missions the IAF operates two squadrons (114 and 118 Sqn) flying the CH-53 Yassur 2000 from Tel Nof AB. The IAF is looking for replacement of the choppers. On the wishlist is the V-22 Osprey.

-

The final years for the KC707 Re'em tankers of the 120 'Desert Giants' Sqn from Nevatim AB has been arrived. Eight KC-46 Pegasus tankers are on order and delivery will start in 2023.

Jonathan Verschuuren