Israel To Host 100s Of Foreign Fighter Pilots

By Findalis

Recently the Israeli Air Force (IAF) held training exercises with Hungry, Greece, Cyprus and Italy.  Now 100s of Fighter Pilots are coming to Israel for training exercises.

Hundreds of foreign pilots are scheduled to arrive in Israel for the largest-ever multinational training session to be held in the country, Channel 2 TV reported on Tuesday evening. The air forces would share theoretical information with each other and pilots would practice flying wing-to-wing with each other.

The names of countries set to partake in the joint exercise were under wraps.

Israel has held multiple exercises with other armies, and, in recent years, the Israel Air Force flew alongside foreign pilots in training runs in Greece, Hungry, Cyprus and Italy.

Israel can offer a great training ground — including low-altitude flying and drop zones for live ammo — for pilots from all over the world, Lt.-Col. Assaf told the channel.

Speaking with a helmet on his head to cover his face, and without revealing his family name, Assaf — one of the planning officers — described the benefits foreign air forces derivded when training in Israel. Israel’s knowledge of weapon systems owned by various Arab countries, and its years of experience, were of great value to its allies, the pilot said.

Source

In recent years there has been a move to bring Israel into the NATO fold.  It has only been by the veto from Turkey that Israel is not a member.  So this could be one step towards that.

-OR-

As Simply Jews mentions it:

Israel can offer a great training ground — including low-altitude flying and drop zones for live ammo...

Since the article doesn't go into further details re the drop zones, I think I can offer a few possibles, here:

Either way it is good news.

Bomb Iran

Click here if video doesn't load.

In Bird Vs. Plane Both Lose

By Findalis of Monkey in the Middle

F-16 canopy after a bird strike

Bird strikes are a significant threat to flight safety, and have caused a number of accidents with human casualties. Major accidents involving civil aircraft are quite low and it has been estimated that there is only about 1 accident resulting in human death in one billion (109) flying hours. The majority of bird strikes (65%) cause little damage to the aircraft; however, the collision is usually fatal to the bird.

Most accidents occur when the bird hits the windscreen or flies into the engines. These cause annual damages that have been estimated at $400 million within the United States of America alone and up to $1.2 billion to commercial aircraft worldwide.  Now there is hope to reduce the damage from such attacks.

Mid-air collisions with birds are the leading cause of airplane crashes, and have led to the destruction of several Air Force planes, as well as causing more than $500,000 in damage to other planes. In response, Israel Aerospace Industries has invented the Bird Splitter, a system that destroys birds before they hit the plane.

The system was unveiled last week at the 51st annual Israeli conference on Aerospace sciences, held in Tel Aviv.

The Bird Splitter is located on the tail of the aircraft. The system “is designed to 'split' an oncoming bird and thereby protect aircraft structure and crucial systems,” IAI said.

It has been installed on the IAI's new G-250 business jet.

The risk posed by birds made papers worldwide in 2009, thanks to the “Miracle on the Hudson,” when pilot Chesley Sullenberger successfully landed an incapacitated passenger plane on the Hudson River, saving the lives of everyone on board. The plane's engines had been severely damaged in a collision with a flock of geese.

It was only the fact that Captain Sullenberger was such an exceptional pilot that the passengers and crew were not killed.  Bird Splitter will help prevent these accidents.

Another useful invention for the left to demand a boycott of.

Finally Uncensored!

by Findalis of Monkey in the Middle


It has only taken 27 years for this piece of IAF history to finally come to light:

(INN) An Israeli surveillance airplane on duty over Baghdad 27 years ago led to the downing of an Iraqi MiG that pursued it.

The story was published in a recent issue of Air Forces Monthly, and its translation into Hebrew was permitted by the Israeli military censor. The translator was Avinoam Misnikov, editor of the Hebrew-language Merhav Aviri (Air Space) website.

The star of the story is a U.S.-made Phantom F-4E, nicknamed "Kurnass Shablul" (Sledgehammer Snail). The plane was fitted with what was then state-of-the-art photography equipment. Shortly after they arrived in Israel, the planes were deployed intensively, regularly flying at extremely high altitudes over 60,000 feet (11.3 miles, 18 kilometers). The missions were highly classified. The pilots wore high-pressure suits in case of high-altitude emergency, similar to that which astronauts wear: six layers of material, including fire-resistant Nomex, weighing a total of 12 kilograms (over 25 lbs.).

On Jan. 3, 1982, a half-year after Israel destroyed the Iraqi nuclear reactor Osirak, two of the planes set off on a reconnaissance sortie high over Iraq. The lead plane was flown by future IDF General Gideon Sheffer, with navigator Yuval Naveh, and the other was piloted by Ran Granot, with navigator Danny Grossman.

On their return home, while flying relatively low, they were intercepted by a single Iraqi MiG-21. Sheffer quickly calculated, based on its smooth flying formation and a full afterburner, that the Iraqi plane had used up much fuel during takeoff. The two Israeli planes then toyed with the MiG for several minutes, without giving it a chance to fire at them. Finally, the two sped off towards home at full speed, and landed safely after refueling in mid-air.

Intelligence information received afterwards showed that the MiG later crashed for lack of fuel – and the two reconnaissance planes were credited with the downing.

Rumors circulated after the Peace for Galilee War in June 1982 that one of the planes had been downed by a shoulder-fired missile, but this was found to be untrue. Years earlier, a Sledgehammer reconnaissance plane was downed over Egypt; pilot Sheffer ejected safely, but navigator Ofer Tzidon was killed.

The IAF had kept the lid on this, and other actions due to security concerns. It is not always in the best interests of the IAF to broadcast to the world all of its operations, all of its victories and losses. This fact is known and understood by the men and women who serve in the IAF.

IAF - Israeli Air Force



View at YouTube

It is no surprise or wonder to aviation experts around the world that the IAF is considered one of the best, if not the best Air Force in the World.

IAF Hits Two Hamas Targets In Gaza

The Israelis hit two Hamas targets in Gaza this morning in retaliation for two rocket attacks on Sunday. The Israelis have been fairly consistent in their response to all rocket attacks that have occurred since the ceasefire was called after Operation Cast Lead. Here's some of the details from Breitbart:

Israeli aircraft attacked two Palestinian militant targets in the Gaza Strip early Monday in response to rocket fire from the territory a day earlier, the military said. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli military did not identify the targets. But Palestinian officials said aircraft hit a Hamas security compound in southern Gaza that had already been struck three times during Israel's recently ended Gaza offensive and a rocket-launching pad in a field in northern Gaza.
Separately, an Israeli gunboat fired a shell in the direction of a Palestinian fishing boat off the northern Gaza coast, Palestinian officials said. The military said the boat had strayed beyond limits Israel has set for fishermen, and that the gunfire was meant as a deterrent.
Palestinian officials said rescue crews were on their way to the fishing boat to determine if there were any injuries.

It will be interesting to see if Hamas does continue the spotty rocket attacks on Israel when it is apparent the IAF will respond within 24 hours to those attacks - it's my gut feeling that these rocket attacks won't end but they won't be anywhere near the frequency of what was going on before the Israeli operation took place. Somewhere in Gaza there are Hamas leaders who have to believe that they are the next target if more rockets are fired.

Israeli aircraft hit 2 militant targets in Gaza

JERUSALEM (AP) - Israeli aircraft attacked two Palestinian militant targets in the Gaza Strip early Monday in response to rocket fire from the territory a day earlier, the military said. No injuries were reported.
The Israeli military did not identify the targets. But Palestinian officials said aircraft hit a Hamas security compound in southern Gaza that had already been struck three times during Israel's recently ended Gaza offensive and a rocket-launching pad in a field in northern Gaza.
Separately, an Israeli gunboat fired a shell in the direction of a Palestinian fishing boat off the northern Gaza coast, Palestinian officials said. The military said the boat had strayed beyond limits Israel has set for fishermen, and that the gunfire was meant as a deterrent.
Palestinian officials said rescue crews were on their way to the fishing boat to determine if there were any injuries.
Israel unilaterally ended on Jan. 18 a devastating three-week offensive in Gaza meant to halt years of rocket fire on southern Israeli communities. Hamas announced its own cease-fire the same day.
While Egypt has been trying to broker a long-term cease-fire, sporadic violence has persisted. In separate attacks Sunday, Palestinian rockets exploded in an Israeli communal farm and the southern city of Ashkelon. No injuries were reported, but cars and buildings were damaged, authorities said.

Biggest Hamas Fish Yet Is Nailed By IAF - He's Dead and Gone (can I get a hallelujah?)

Great, great news today as the IAF performed an airstrike on the home of Hamas' most senior official yet, namely Interior Minister Said Siam , killing him and a nice little clutch of other Hamas (including Gen. Salah Abu Shrakh, head of the Hamas General Security Service). This is a HUGE win for Israel as this will send shockwaves across Gaza with every senior Hamas official crapping their pants ...oh wait, do they wear pants? Anyway, here's some of the details from the story here at The Jerusalem Post:

The IDF stepped up pressure on Hamas on Thursday, killing Interior Minister Said Siam and pushing deep into Gaza City as defense officials predicted a cease-fire would begin soon.

Siam, the most senior Hamas political leader killed since Operation Cast Lead began on December 27, died along with his brother Iad, his son, and Gen. Salah Abu Shrakh, head of the Hamas General Security Service. The four were killed by an IAF strike on Iad Siam's home in Jabalya.
Siam was the Hamas political echelon's liaison with the group's military wing, Izzadin Kassam, and was responsible for the various security apparatuses in the Strip, including the Hamas police and naval forces. Officials said he was one of the Islamist movement's more radical leaders and was a close associate of its Damascus-based chief Khaled Mashaal.
According to Palestinian reports, Mahmoud Watfa, one of the commanders of Izzadin Kassam in Gaza City, was also killed in the strike.

Boy, it's gotta be a blow to Hamas to lose Siam but the beauty of it is all the others that were taken out as well. The city of Jabalya is actually the home of much of Hamas' leadership and if any of your have been watching any of the livecams of Gaza recently, you may have seen explosions off in the distance from Gaza City - much of that has been Jabalya going up in smoke.

I haven't seen any real update on ceasefire talks but my guess is that this single airstrike is going to light a fire under some top Hamas jackasses ... I only wish we could see them plead for a ceasefire and have Israel tell them to basically fuck off and simply and finally, destroy them.

Hamas minister Siam dies in IAF strike

Siam was the Hamas political echelon's liaison with the group's military wing, Izzadin Kassam, and was responsible for the various security apparatuses in the Strip, including the Hamas police and naval forces. Officials said he was one of the Islamist movement's more radical leaders and was a close associate of its Damascus-based chief Khaled Mashaal.
According to Palestinian reports, Mahmoud Watfa, one of the commanders of Izzadin Kassam in Gaza City, was also killed in the strike.

Three of Hamas Foreign Minister Mahmoud Zahar's bodyguards were killed by an IAF strike near his house in Gaza City early Thursday morning.
Two weeks ago, the IAF killed Sheikh Nizar Rayyan, one of the top five Hamas leaders in Gaza and a senior member of Izzadin Kassam.

IDF troops fought with Hamas gunmen throughout the day as they pushed deeper into Gaza City, taking up positions a few kilometers from downtown - the deepest push since the ground operation began on January 3.
According to military sources, IDF troops shot and killed close to 60 Hamas gunmen.
"The goal is to put pressure on Hamas," a senior military source said.
Meanwhile, some 25 rockets hit the South, including two in Beersheba that wounded six people.
A defense official said Israel was trying to advance before the expected implementation of an Egyptian-mediated cease-fire in the coming days.
According to Palestinian reports, IDF tanks and infantry were taking up positions in the Gaza City neighborhoods of Basra and Tel Hawwa, and in the Shati (Beach) refugee camp. Thousands of people reportedly fled their homes as IDF forces advanced deep into the city, which has approximately 400,000 residents.

Israeli Air Force Takes Delivery of 'Mini' AWACS - The 'Eitam'

Okay, I'm not the weapons or electronics kind of guy but this sounds awfully exciting for the IAF. In essence, we're looking at an AWACS that is the relative size to a business/executive jet. Let me just list what the newest addition, the "Eitam", to the IAF can do:

1. The Eitam can produce aerial pictures deep inside enemy territory, while warning attack formations of approaching threats.
2. It will enable the Israeli Air Force’s intelligence and electronic warfare arms to operate hundreds of kilometers inside enemy territory. Eitam can cover Syria, without leaving Israeli air space and target Iran from a great distance.
3. The Eitam can stay airborne for 10 hours at the relatively safe altitude of 40,000 feet
4. It is also designed to interface with Israel’s spy satellites, Dolphin submarines

What it all means is greater surveillance by Israelis at a time when they absolutely need as much warning as possible of movements against them. When you are looking at serious threats from Iran, Syria, Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas/al Qaeda in Gaza, this type of first warning system is invaluable.
It is another piece of amazing technology developed by the Israelis. It's almost...let's see....what word can describe this kind of innovation....hmmm....Divine? : )

Here's the full story from DEBKA.

Israeli Air Force integrates home-made miniaturized, long-distance AWACS for long-distance surveillance and EW

DEBKAfile’s military sources report: The Israeli Air Force’s 122 Nachshon special missions squadron has taken delivery of the “Eitam” – a modified Gulfstream G-550 executive jet, fitted with the newest Israeli airborne early warning system (AEW & C) developed by Israel’s Elta Systems.
Crammed onto the new, extra-small Eitam platform is a long-range intelligence, target tracking and operational control system that can produce aerial pictures deep inside enemy territory, while warning attack formations of approaching threats.
Its electronic support measures (ESM) and communications equipment in support of AEW & C enable the Israeli Air Force’s intelligence and electronic warfare arms to operate hundreds of kilometers inside enemy territory. Eitam can cover Syria, without leaving Israeli air space and target Iran from a great distance.
The new craft can stay airborne for 10 hours at the relatively safe altitude of 40,000 feet. It also has an in-flight refueling capacity.
This third-generation system developed by Israel Air Industries/Elta Phalcom is the first to be fitted into such a small airframe. Eitam is therefore a smaller target than the conventional, large and expensive AWACs craft.
It is also designed to interface with Israel’s spy satellites, Dolphin submarines which, according to foreign sources, are capable of carrying nuclear cruise missiles, other Israeli early warning systems and the Israeli Defense Forces ground commands.
The three Eiatm craft delivered to the Nachshon squadron feature two radar systems operating simultaneously on different frequency bands and, mounted on their fuselage, phased array antennas that provide 360-degree coverage of wide spaces. It replaces the E-2C aircraft retired in the 1990s.
Israel has taken orders for this miniaturized airborne early warning system from India for its fleet of Ilyushin-76 aircraft and the Singapore Air Force.