The Israeli Air Force marked yet another significant achievement on Tuesday when IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin promoted Druze officer Awad Suleiman to the rank of colonel in the Aerial Maintenance Unit. Norkin also named Suleiman head of the IAF's Drone Warfare Unit.
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Suleiman is the first Druze airman to attain the rank of colonel in the IAF, although recent years have seen Druze citizens serving in more and more elite air force roles.
In September 2020, Lt. Col. A. made history by being appointed the first Druze commander of the Israel Air Force's commando unit, Shaldag ("Kingfisher").
The appointment made A. the first Druze commander of any of the IDF's four elite units: Sayeret Matkal, its top special forces unit; Shaldag; the Shayetet 13 naval commandos; and Unit 669, which carries out heliborne search, rescue and extraction missions.
A year and a half ago, in June 2019, Lt. G. became the IAF's first Druze Israeli pilot when he successfully completed the 178th's pilot training course.
In addition to welcoming minorities into the upper ranks of the IAF, Norkin also appointed the first woman to serve as bureau chief to the IAF commander when he named Maj. N. to the sensitive post. N. became a navigator on F-16 aircraft in 2016.
