Israeli Air Force Graduation 174
Report and images by Yissachar Ruas
July 11, 2017
The last week marked another IAF graduation at Hatzerim AFB. This class, numbered at 174 includes two female aviators being designated for helicopter training and transport respectively.
As is the local custom, the awarding of wings was followed by a short but very potent live fire exercise.
With the Israeli Air Force’s fleet of AH-64A/D Apaches grounded, most of the demo focused on Israel’s fighter fleet.
This year’s demo commemorated 50 years since the “6 Day War” which saw the IAF launch a pre-emptive air strike against the Pan Arab Coalition of forces, staving off the annihilation of the Jewish State.
Participants included the IAF Aerobatic Display Team, 6 F-16Cs, 1 CH-53 CSAR Demo, 2 F-15Is a refueling contingent (KC-707 +3 Eagles) and closing out the show – the IAF’s new star, the F-35.
By far one of the most impressive shows in recent years included a pair of IAF F-15I Ra’ams dropping 11 (!!!) MK-87 waterbombs each on targets stationed between Hatzerim’s runways.
Closing out the show was the IAF’s newest acquisition the F-35 showing off with a pretty exciting display.
Yissachar has had the opportunity to fly with a variety of different air forces including the USMC, Israeli Air Force, NATO alliance nations, embark with the US Navy as well as having flown fast jets with the USAF.
Yissachar shoots Canon since he was given a Canon AE-1 by his mother at the age of 8 years old and progressed by working for many American Wedding Photographers.
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