This week, that red line may face its biggest test in decades, with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's planned visit to Washington and the expected US approval for the F-35 deal to the kingdom.

The Americans have always viewed the Saudis as an important strategic partner, but the idea of supplying the stealth fighter – the only fifth-generation jet operated by any country in the Middle East (Israel) – was seen until recently as a line best not crossed. The reason is simple: the F-35 is no longer just a fighter jet. It is an intelligence, strike, and electronic platform that enables penetration into spaces that were previously impassable, and it is a source of security, diplomatic, and strategic power not only in the local arena but also in the broader regional balance of power.

The stealth fighter entered Israeli Air Force service as a result of a long, complex, and sometimes politically sensitive process. Although the F-35 was born as a large-scale international project led by the United States called JSF – Joint Strike Fighter, Israel was not included in the first group of countries that participated in it.

The main reason was that the Americans carefully examined the combination of industrial partnership and security sensitivity: Israel was not a producer in NATO frameworks, and it was known as a country that makes deep modifications to almost every air platform it acquires. From Washington's perspective, there was a need to carefully examine whether Israel's modification requirements would not endanger particularly sensitive technological components. Only at a later stage, after a prolonged process of secret coordinations and technological protection mechanisms, did Israel join as a special procurement partner and not as a full member in the JSF coalition.

The US president who essentially approved the sale of the stealth fighters to Israel was George W. Bush. His administration made the principled decision to allow Israel to acquire a fifth-generation jet, out of the understanding that the rise in regional threats – including Iran – requires Israel to have a significant qualitative advantage. The actual agreement was signed during the Obama administration, which continued this policy and gave the green light to the first order. Israel was indeed outside the circle of countries that contributed to the development of the tool, but it became the first customer in the world to receive Washington's approval for deep Israeli modifications in the avionics systems, electronic warfare, and connectivity.

The first Adir landed in Israel on December 12, 2016, at Nevatim Airbase, in a ceremony that made clearer than anything the significance of this acquisition for Israel. For the first time, the Air Force received a jet capable of entering almost any point in the Middle East with little warning, generating independent intelligence, and carrying out precise strikes with a level of survivability higher than that of any other tool. It gave Israel an advantage that is not only technological but also conceptual: the Air Force moved from an era where it had to "break into" enemy airspace to an era where it can operate within it with relative ease.

Since 2016, three batches of jets have arrived in Israel. Today, the Israeli Adir fleet numbers about 36 F-35 jets integrated into squadrons at Nevatim. The Israeli government has already approved the purchase of another 25 jets, which will bring the operational strength to more than 60 jets. There are also discussions about further expansion later this decade, among other things to ensure a response to new threats and the replacement of some of the veteran fourth-generation jets.

The combination of operational flexibility, stealth capability, unique Israeli electronic warfare modifications, and natural integration into national control systems created a new reality: the stealth fighter is no longer just a component in the Air Force but an overlay layer that gives Israel freedom of action that no one in the arena holds, and continues to shape Israeli combat doctrine even today.

In Israel, especially after Operation Rising Lion, the significance of this process is even clearer. In the campaign that lasted 12 days and spanned thousands of kilometers, the F-35 was the tool that changed the rules of the game. It enabled deep penetration into Iranian airspace saturated with radars, missile batteries, and electronic warfare capabilities without the need to open a route through a wave of preliminary strikes. It provided real-time intelligence, sensor fusion that creates a continuous battle picture, and surgical strike capability on targets essential to the nuclear program – and all this while maintaining almost complete stealth. Israeli pilots described how they saw Iran's defense arrays "waking up", if at all, only after the strike had already been completed. That was a moment that illustrated how much this tool changes reality, and how much the Israeli advantage on it is not only tactical but essential.

This is exactly where the Israeli concern lies. If Saudi Arabia indeed joins the select club that holds the American stealth fighter, the implication is not just another advanced jet in the region; it is a change in the basis of the balance of power. Not because Saudi Arabia is an enemy state, today it is seen as a potential strategic partner, but because the qualitative advantage is a resource that must be maintained over time, especially in a region where the balance of alliances can change in a few years, if not months.

Israel needs unique technological depth, one that cannot be closed in two or three years. And if Saudi Arabia is indeed equipped with the stealth fighter, it will be the first time an Arab country receives access to a technological generation equal to that of Israel. In the past, Saudi Arabia requested – and received AWACS and F-15 jets from the US, but Israel managed to impose certain restrictions on the Saudi jets, thereby leaving a technological advantage in its hands.

Supporters of the move argue that Israel holds an advantage of many years over any country that enters the deal now. They point to its extensive operational experience, the unique hardware and software modifications it has made, and the complementary capabilities – intelligence, communications, and logistical capability that other countries are still far from holding. The QME mechanisms (ensuring qualitative edge), they remind, do not erode in one day. But on the other hand, there are those in Israel who warn that these gaps are not a given. Technology is a dynamic matter, and from the moment the door opens, it is hard to return it to full closure.

In this reality, Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Washington becomes a top event. The US president's decision will not approve just a deal – it will define the contours of air supremacy in the Middle East in the coming decade. The fact that in Israel they use examples from Operation Rising Lion to gauge the significance of the stealth fighter only sharpens the tension: Israel knows very well what the F-35 allows it to do. It also knows what will happen the day these capabilities reach its large, wealthy, and ambitious neighbor.

Either way, the discussion is not about Saudi Arabia. It's about Israel, about a longstanding American commitment, and about the question of whether the era of Israeli exclusivity in the stealth domain is about to come to an end – or whether Washington will find a way to preserve the additional edge on which Israeli security policy has relied for three decades.

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The role of women in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has evolved significantly over the decades. From being sidelined to leading combat units, women in the IDF have defied expectations and broken through barriers. This article will explore the history, challenges, and triumphs of female soldiers in the IDF, highlighting their journey toward equality and recognition in a traditionally male-dominated environment.

History of Israeli mandatory IDF service

Israel is unique in that it mandated military service for both men and women as early as 1948. This policy was established during the War of Independence when the new nation faced threats from surrounding countries. David Ben Gurion, Israel's first prime minister, believed in the necessity of a people's army, enlisting citizens regardless of gender. His famous assertion was, "Security will not exist if our nation's women do not know how to fight." This principle led many women to serve courageously alongside their male counterparts.

Despite their significant contributions, the IDF made a controversial decision shortly after the formation of the state. Following a tragic incident involving the rape and abuse of a female soldier by enemy forces, the military removed women from combat positions. This led to the establishment of the Women's Corps, which operated under a separate chain of command. This segregation meant that women often missed out on the same benefits that their male peers enjoyed, limiting their career advancement and opportunities within the military.

Alice Miller vs. the Air Force in the Israeli Supreme Court

In 1995, Alice Miller, a South African immigrant, was denied the opportunity to apply for combat pilot training in the Israeli Air Force. Despite holding a civilian pilot's license and pursuing a degree in aeronautical engineering, the military's refusal to consider her application led to a landmark legal battle. Miller sued the IDF for gender inequality, and the case reached the Israeli Supreme Court.

The ruling was a victory; the ban on female pilots was deemed unconstitutional. While the court upheld the exemption of women from combat roles, it granted them the option to pursue such positions if they chose. Unfortunately, Miller was later rejected from the pilot program due to medical reasons, but her case marked a significant step toward gender equality in the IDF.

Units with female soldiers

Following Miller's case, the IDF slowly opened more roles to women. The first units to include female combat soldiers were specialized units such as the Rocket Artillery Unit, Oketz Unit, and Search and Rescue Brigade. Women also began patrolling the Jordanian border in the Caracal Battalion. By 2003, women occupied over 25% of officer positions in the IDF, signaling a shift in military culture.

The Segev Committee, established in 2007, further aimed to integrate women into the IDF. The committee recommended revising drafting protocols and ensuring that all roles were accessible to women, regardless of their length of service.  It proposed quotas to ensure women's representation in senior ranks and a gender code to guide interactions between male and female soldiers. However, the IDF Rabbinate opposed the integration of women into front-line roles, citing concerns about religious male soldiers. It also faced strong resistance from senior IDF officials, who argued that most women could not meet the physical demands of combat roles. As a result, many of the committee's recommendations were not fully implemented.

Despite these setbacks, women continued to advance in the military. The first female fighter pilot graduated from the Israeli Air Force Academy in 2001. In subsequent years, women were appointed to high-ranking positions, including the first female major general in 2011 and the first female infantry battalion commander in 2017.

Harassment in the IDF

Gender harassment has been a persistent issue within the IDF. A 2016 internal survey revealed that one in six women in service had experienced sexual harassment. This reality underscores the challenges women face as they navigate their military careers. While progress has been made, the fight for a safe and equitable environment continues.

The future of women in the IDF

The future looks promising for women in the IDF. With more roles becoming available and a growing acceptance of female soldiers in combat positions, the landscape continues to change. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles and proving their capabilities in various military functions.

As more women enter the ranks, they bring diverse perspectives and skills that enhance the IDF's effectiveness. The ongoing integration efforts are essential not only for the military but also for broader societal change. The achievements of women in the IDF serve as an inspiration for future generations, demonstrating that barriers can be overcome.

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Working as a military correspondent often takes you to fascinating places. Sensitive meetings with senior officials in all the security branches in which dramatic information is discussed; visits out on the ground often in combat zones, and participation in operational activity or training – at sea, in the air, and on land.

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In the 37 years that I have been closely escorting the security forces, I have had the chance to visit many units and be in an infinite number of combat vehicles. From tanks and APCs of all kinds, through almost every possible seacraft above and below the water, to various airplanes and helicopters, and even a flight on an F15i ("Thunder"). But I have not yet flown in one vehicle: a combat helicopter. Experiencing up close and in person a flight in a war machine, gets less credit than it deserves.

In honor of Israel's 75th Independence Day, I arrived at the Israeli Air Force base in Ramon, where the two combat helicopter squadrons are located, to fly an Apache. I have visited the Israeli Air Force dozens of times in the past, but this was unlike any other visit – and not only because of the flight.

The Israeli Air Force is currently in a strange, complex, unprecedented period. On the one hand, the security reality is complicated on every front possible, with a considerable chance of escalation, and perhaps even war, on several fronts at the same time. On the other hand, the growing controversy surrounding the legal legislation that also affects the IDF, and the Israeli Air Force, with many pilots involved in the protest.

The need to handle both of these at the same time poses a complex challenge to the commanders in the army. They are required to juggle between maintaining a high level of training and readiness and intensive care of the personnel to ensure that competence is maintained. This puts a particularly heavy burden on the entire chain of command, and especially on the squadron commanders – the spearhead of the Israeli Air Force.

"This is an unprecedented period," says Lt. Col. A, commander of Squadron 190 (the "Magic Touch" squadron). "We have not had such command challenges in the past. Naturally, when society is in crisis and under pressure, then the nation's army is also affected by it. As a commander, I do everything to maintain the competence and cohesion of the unit, and we deal with this every day. But the reality here is different than it seems outside: it's a reality of people who look each other in the eye, know what their common mission is and come to do things together.

A combat legacy that began in Vietnam

The combat helicopters are a consequence of the Vietnam War. The Americans realized that the helicopters could be taken, armed, and used in battle on the ground. The Cobra was the first combat helicopter, and models of it still are used by the Marines in the United States Army. They arrived in the IDF in the early 1980s, at the same time as the Defender helicopters. The Israeli Air Force used them for a variety of tasks – from assisting the ground forces with targeted countermeasures and rescuing troops.

There were two such notable cases during that period when the IDF stayed and operated intensively in Lebanon. The first one, the 1986 rescue of the Phantom pilot Yishai Aviram who was forced to abandon his plane during an attack sortie in Lebanon, gained publicity because his navigator, Ron Arad, ditched and was captured by The Amal organization and subsequently its traces disappeared. The second was the 1988 rescue of combat soldiers from Operation Blue and Brown, in which IDF forces raided the headquarters of Ahmed Jibril's organization in the Lebanese coastal town of Noaima.

Even earlier, in the First Lebanon War, the combat helicopters participated in the campaign against the Syrian army and destroyed dozens of Syrian tanks as part of the assistance to the IDF forces operating deep in Lebanon. After the first Gulf War in 1991, in which the Americans made massive use of Apache helicopters manufactured by Boeing – whose name was taken from the well–known Indian tribe – who were considered the next generation of combat helicopters because they were equipped with advanced technologies and weapon systems, mainly "Hellfire" missiles.

The IDF received the first Apache helicopters in the early 1990s. They were received by Squadron 113 (the "wasp" squadron), which reopened in September 1990 as a combat helicopter squadron, after previously being a fighter jet squadron. The most famous attack carried out by this squadron was the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Abbas Mousavi, in 1992. This assassination turned out years later to be a double–edged sword: The person who succeeded him as the leader of the organization was Hassan Nasrallah, who turned out to be a much more talented and charismatic leader than his predecessor, and also a much more dangerous enemy to Israel.

Squadron 190 received its Apache helicopters in the mid–1990s. Until then, the Defender helicopters were used, which were gradually withdrawn from service. Following them, the Cobra helicopters were also grounded and sold in the last decade. Today, the Israeli Air Force operates two Apache squadrons of two models: the Magic Touch squadron operates an Apache model A known in the Israeli Air Force as "Patan", and the Wasp squadron operates Apache model D (Longbow) known as "Sharaf" in the Israeli Air Force. In terms of structure, it is the same helicopter, the "Sheraf" model has a more advanced avionics system. Over the years, the IDF has also improved the systems in the "Patan" helicopters, so that the two helicopters have similar capabilities, and the two squadrons share the on–call rounds and missions, and often they also operate jointly.

The combat helicopters in both squadrons (as well as in the Cobra squadrons) played a central role in the major operations conducted by the IDF in southern Lebanon – "Accountability" and "Grapes of Wrath" – and also in the fighting in the West Bank and Gaza with the outbreak of the second intifada at the beginning of the current millennium. During that period, Israel assassinated a larger number of terrorist leaders, most of which were carried out from the air. In Ramallah, the leader of the PFLP, Abu Ali Mustafa, was killed, and in Gaza senior Hamas officials Ahmed Yassin, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, and Adnan al-Ghoul. Following this, the combat helicopters also played a central role in all the major operations conducted by the IDF in Gaza – "Cast Lead" and "Protective Edge" in assisting the ground forces, and "Pillar of Defense" and "Guardian of the Walls" in attacking targets in the Gaza Strip and protecting the Gaza border.

"Our first and main mission is to assist the ground forces," says Lt. Col. A. "This is true in every operational description: in special operations and routine operations and also in any type of war, of greater or lesser intensity, and of course in our readiness to protect the country's borders. We also deal with defending the country's skies, especially against the objects that have low radar cross-section, which are currently in the headlines. We deal with this a lot, and it is part of our daily operational tasks."

These are aircraft, mostly unmanned, that fly slowly and low, so it is sometimes difficult for the radar to locate them, which makes it difficult to intercept them. "Helicopters, aircraft that also fly slowly and low, can locate them and destroy them if necessary." Thus, an Apache helicopter intercepted in February 2018 an Iranian drone that infiltrated Israel. The IDF followed the flight path of the UAV that took off from Syria, and combat helicopters downed it over the Golan Heights, in Israeli territory, so that its fragments could be collected and examined.

The combat helicopters also played a central role in the Second Lebanon War, mainly in assisting the ground forces. This was done at a heavy price: a technical fault caused an Apache helicopter to crash which resulted in the deaths of the pilots, and human error caused an accident in which two Apache helicopters collided – one of the pilots was killed and the other pilot was seriously injured. He recovered and later became a paralympic tennis champion. The pilot of the second helicopter, Uri Sagi, who previously was the commander of the Magic Touch Squadron (and now the founding CEO of Alexander Brewery), managed to land safely, in what is considered an unprecedented professional achievement in the world.

We still want a combat soldier in the cockpit

The world of operational aviation has experienced significant revolutions in recent decades: from advanced stealth capabilities to an increased reliance on unmanned aircraft that currently perform a significant portion of the missions – from photography and surveillance even to attack. The Israeli Air Force is a major player in these revolutions: Israel is considered a global pioneer in the field of drones (mainly attack drones) and was the first to operate the stealthy F-35 aircraft in operational activity, including attacking various targets in the Middle East.

These revolutions largely bypassed the world of combat helicopters. Although the helicopters themselves are much more advanced than before – in avionics, technology, and the military – but the entire field remains quite conservative, similar to its beginnings about 50 years ago. "The Israeli Air Force wants to preserve the manned platforms as much as possible," says the squadron commander.

"There is a big difference when there is a combat soldier in the cockpit, and many times the soldier is needed, certainly the more complex the plan, when the weather is more challenging, when the fighting is more complicated, and you have to assist closely, in such intimacy with the army and Israeli Air Force, when you hear from each other and understand exactly what It is required of you and what the mission is. Therefore, all the armies in the world still keep soldiers in the cockpit, because they are the ones who are able to reach the battlefield, understand the situation, decide what the mission is, and carry it out in the best way possible."

The advantage of the combat helicopter array is its versatility. "We know how to focus on different tasks, and perform them all well," says Lt. Col. A. "But our relative advantage is with the battle on the ground because we can make the difference at a point where the battle is complex and challenging, or under weather conditions in which other vessels cannot help – that's where we come in."

Lt. Col. A, commander of the "Magic Touch" squadron: "My job is to maintain the squadron's competence. People should come here and see things with their own eyes, remember the mission, and understand that there are things bigger than us. For a moment I did not feel that the competence of the squadron was compromised. We are very united and strong, and carry out the tasks"

As part of this, the combat helicopters are linked to the ground forces through joint communication systems: Elbit's "Beacon 750" system, which is currently used by the army and enables mapping and orientation with unprecedented resolutions, is also installed in the combat helicopters so that the pilots can view the battle exactly as seen by the forces on the ground so that they can optimally assist them.

In this intimate proximity to the troops and the ground, there are quite a few dangers. It allows the enemy to more easily hit the combat helicopters. In the Afghanistan war, the Americans provided shoulder–fired missiles to the insurgents, which allowed them to target Soviet helicopters. A generation later, the insurgents in Iraq used Soviet shoulder–fired missiles to target the American helicopters that operated in the country during and after the 2003 Iraq War. The IDF is considered a pioneer in this field as well, with advanced electronic warfare systems installed on the combat helicopters in order to protect them from enemy threats.

There are threats where the low and slow flight is an advantage compared to the fighter planes, and there are places where we are more threatened. We don't neglect it for a second, and train for it all the time," he says. "We understand that the enemy is trying to challenge us, and fly accordingly, even if it requires us to fly a little farther, or arrive at different angles – whatever will allow us to accomplish the mission."

Q: In 50 years will there still be combat helicopters?

"50 years is a long time away to examine, and it's hard to say if there will be manned platforms at all, but looking at 10–20 years ahead – I'm sure there will be. The challenges are endless, and it's not certain that on unmanned platforms we'll be able to deal with them all. On the other hand, on manned platforms, the pilots are always relevant and always available, and we are the only ones who can face these challenges."

And the current challenges, as mentioned, are more complex than in the past. The last month – with explosions in every possible arena: Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and also in East Jerusalem – sharpened the need for a capable and deadly Israeli Air Force.

"What this means for us is that we can no longer train on just one arena. We must train on every type. This requires more commitment from the people and much more engagement. People understand the challenge that exists both in the internal arena, both within the borders and far from the borders. We deal with it all the time, every arena has its own complexity, although currently, our greatest and most complex challenges are in the north."

Q; When you get to the squadron – make a cut

 He is 37 years old, married plus two, and lives on the Ramon Base. He completed the pilot's course in helicopters, flew most of the years in the "Sharaf" squadron and for the past year and a half has been commander of the "Patan" squadron (with an inter–Lebin position in the ground cooperation unit, where he was responsible for assisting the maneuvering forces). According to him, the current period is the most challenging that he has known, due to the combination between the operational intensity and the upheaval experienced by the country as a result of the legal legislation.

"I talk to every reservist once a week on the phone," he says, "and I talk face–to–face with everyone who comes. It's important to me to interact with everyone, to see that they successfully transition from civilian back to combat fighter. When entering the briefing, I ask to make sure that everything that happens outside remains outside. Make a cut. Leave Twitter. We can talk about everything later during the debriefing, but the task is a task, and it is our duty to carry it out properly."

Q: As we have seen in recent months, it is not simple.

"Everyone faces the challenges differently and sees reality differently and experiences the squadron differently. My role is to maintain the competence of the squadron and hold the people together. I realized that for this to happen the people need to hear me a lot, talk to me, come here and see things with their own eyes – To see the squadron, to remember the mission, the responsibility, to understand that there are things that are bigger than us, that we must take care of because without security we will not have all the other things in the country. Not for a moment have I felt that the competence of the squadron was compromised. We feel very united and strong, and carry out the missions ours every day".

There has been a lot of talk recently about a rift within the squadrons between the crews in the air and on the ground. The Israeli Air Force claims that this is not true and that unit cohesion has been maintained the whole time. Major T., the technical officer of Squadron 190, confirms this: "It looks different from the outside than it does here. We are working. There are quite a few challenges – training, operational activity, and preparation. The current period is particularly intense. People don't have time for other things."

He is 31 years old, married plus 2, and also lives on the base, originally from Nahariya. The squadron, he says, is a nature reserve. What happens on base is cut off from the outside world. "We are attentive to the noises, but they are not expressed here – neither with the conscripted soldiers nor with the reservists. The squadron is a family, where the air and ground crews behave and conduct matters together. We are all a family that shares a common destiny."

The ground crews consist almost exclusively of conscripted soldiers and permanent personnel (reservists only stay prepared in case war breaks out). In contrast, the aircrews rely significantly on reservists. Lt. Col. A says that 60% of his squadron are reservists, and 40% are conscripted soldiers. Beyond dealing with the protest, his challenge is to keep the good ones in the forces after their conscripted service has finished instead of giving in to the temptations of returning to the civilian world.

"Working outside the armed forces is always a little easier, the pay is a little better, and everything is a little more pleasant," he says. "But there is one thing here that cannot be replaced, and that is the sense of mission and satisfaction that people feel – and that is what we sell. Being part of this complex task of protecting the security of the country."

Q: Today, there is quite a lot of discussion around the pilot course as well – who gets chosen for them, and where do they come from? Is this still where the best are?

"I meet those who come to me from there, and they are the best. Excellent children. On the one hand, very smart and talented, and on the other hand, very brave and committed to the task. They are the first to volunteer and do and of the highest quality."

Q: And can you say that you have representation in your squadron for the entire Israeli mosaic, or is it a homogeneous unit?

"I look at the squadron, and I see all of Israeli society – Tel Aviv and Ramat Hasharon and the Krayot, the north and the center and the Arava. You meet everyone here."

Q: After so many years do you still enjoy flying?

"Of course! You'll see in a moment״

We go down to the briefing in the squadron's briefing room. Even earlier, I was sent to put on a flight suit with the squadron's insignia on it. Following that, a helmet suits me. Unlike the pilots' helmets, which are made in a special casting according to the structure of each pilot, my helmet has passed several heads before me, and it is relatively outdated because it is not possible to project all the data on its lenses.

I receive an aerial photo of four sheds, which according to the intelligence, the weapons are in the southwestern shed between them. We are intended to reach it from the south, to enable an optimal hit on the target with minimal exposure to threats from the ground

The briefing includes some history about the squadron, and then about the role of the combat helicopters in the Israeli Air Force and the IDF, including films of military operations from the distant and recent past. In general, there are four missions: attack (mainly intelligence–oriented, i.e. in pre–planned operations), helicopter escort Sa'ar (in missions of landing special forces in deep operations, rescuing pilots, and more), protecting the country's skies (against the intrusion of hostile elements) and assisting the ground forces.

We also get an overview of the different arenas. In the north, there is Lebanon and Syria, from participation in military operations (from struggles to wars) to prepare for days of battle that may develop. In Gaza, it is the task of defending the fence (including from Palestinians that approach it) and participating in operations. In Judea and Samaria, with assistance and surveillance. in Sinai in preventing the infiltration of terrorists, smugglers, and job seekers. And at the same time as all of these – a host of other actions, including quite a few searches for missing people on challenging routes to rescue them.

Do not come back unscathed

Our mission involves flying high into Gaza, "attacking" a target, then returning at low altitude to the base, outlining a secret flight plan deep in enemy territory. The target of the mock attack – which of course is supposed to be carried out from a distance, without risking the helicopter or a real threat to Gaza – is a shed in the south of the Gaza Strip, which allegedly store weapons. I receive an aerial photograph of four sheds, which according to the intelligence, the weapons are in the southwestern shed between them. We are intended to reach the location from the south, to enable an optimal hit on the target with minimal exposure to threats from the ground.

From the briefing, we go to the helicopter itself. Unlike fighter jets, where the pilot sits in front and steers from behind, combat helicopters are arranged in reverse: Lt. Col. A sits in the back, in the place reserved for the pilot, and I sit in front, in the place reserved for the machine gunner (who is also a pilot who knows how to operate all the aircraft's systems). The pilot sits in an elevated cabin that allows him to see optimally, and the navigator can easily locate the targets and hit them.

I climb the small ladder and enter the helicopter. The entrance is crowded, and basically, you enter half-standing and then sit down. The belt is like that of the aircrews on all airplanes: two harnesses that come down from the shoulders and two straps that come from the waist, one on each side, which all connect to a kind of wheel that turns to open. Another helmet adjustment, and before that I put on the hair-protecting bonnet (or as Lt. Col. A says: "Let's make sure you don't come back bald.")

The next step is conducting a contact test: Lt. Col. A is in front of the control tower, and then he is in front of me. He checks if I hear him and if he hears me. He asks me to bring the mouthpiece closer to my mouth because the air conditioning is making noise which is interfering with the communication connection (yes, there is air conditioning in the cockpit, after all – this is the Middle East). Lt. Col. A also recommends that I raise the seat so that I can see better during the flight. A little pull on the handle under the chair, and my head touches the ceiling of the helicopter and I can perfectly see all around me.

On operational flights, the Apache helicopter is armed with missiles for a range of up to 12 km (7.4 miles) and a gun that is effective mainly for the tasks of holding down the enemy and rescuing soldiers. None of us take the risk of a malfunction, and the real weapons remain on the ground. We are supposed to attack a virtual target virtually, and I am warned not to return to base without "Alpha" – the code name for striking a target.

However, life is more complex than the briefing room. After lengthy preparations – which also include a briefing on the ground where I receive an explanation of the devices I am required to operate, and especially what I am not allowed to touch (generally, everything that is red or yellow) – we receive permission to take off. A short drive to the take-off point, a two–minute wait until a pair of "Sofa" planes land, and the approval is given.

We take off and fly a bit in the Mitzpe Ramon area to make sure all the helicopter systems are working properly. But then it turns out that there is a malfunction with the helicopter's generator, and Lt. Col. A says that the malfunction that will not allow us to fly all the way to Gaza. This is relatively unusual, but it is a known malfunction – the combat helicopters fly at a high intensity (the 190th squadron flies an unimaginable amount of about 4,200 hours a year in operational activity and training), and the helicopters experience malfunctions. The Israeli Air Force does not take any chances or put itself at any risk. When I ask Lt. Col. A if this means that the Apaches are close to the end of their lives, he laughs: the helicopter is built to live for about 10,000 flight hours, and the Apaches that the IDF operates have barely flown half of that.

Those who like amusement parks will enjoy the flight. It's not a fighter plane, but it's totally extreme. The speed, the maneuvers, the height (or more correctly the lack thereof) – it makes you lose your breath time and time again. During every flight, you entrust your life to the pilot, but you don't see during every flight you see a mountain approaching you at breakneck speed.

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A day after reserve airmen in the Israeli Airforce's 69th Squadron announced they would not show up for part of their call-up duty to protest the government's judicial reform bills, prompting harsh insults on social media, Israel Hayom has learned of a similar move currently being considered in additional airforce units.

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According to Israel Hayom sources, reservists who are affiliated with two Israel Air Force squadrons – one in the Ramat David base in northern Israel and the other in the Tel Nof base in the center of the country – have explored the possibility of not showing up for part or all the routine training days if and when they are called up. One source said that the instant messaging forums in which the reservists have communicated, primarily on WhatsApp, have been consumed by this topic. "Each squadron has its own dynamic," the sources said.

Meanwhile, 10 former IAF chiefs called on the government to change course in the wake of the controversial legal overhaul, publishing an open letter warning that the continued political crisis could pose a "grave danger to Israel's security" because of its impact on society and the collective sense of solidarity.

"We have been following the ongoing developments in Israel and in the IAF," they wrote. "With the force playing such a crucial and unique role in our national security, we are deeply concerned over what could unfold and the real danger that this could pose to Israel's national security," the letter continued, urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to find a way to heed the protesters' demands. They also showed their support to the reservists and the current IAF chief Tomer Bar, who vowed to protect pilots from being vilified in the media but urged them to show up for duty when called up. "We urge you to stop this and find a solution to the emerging situation as soon as possible," they wrote to Netanyahu.

As Israel's strategic arm, the air force has traditionally relied on reservists in wartime and requires crews who have been discharged to train regularly in order to maintain readiness. But in a letter circulated in local media, the 37 F-15 pilots and navigators from the 69th Squadron said they would skip drills scheduled for Wednesday and instead "devote our time to dialogue and reflection for the sake of democracy and national unity".

Israel Hayom published several days ago the letter written by Bar to the reservists. "We hear your voices, I wholeheartedly say that you are the defenders of the country...I will not help in painting your image in an unfair way," he said. Bar also emphasized this in his letter when he wrote: "Our corps - our home and source of pride - is a strategic component of the strength of the IDF and the national resilience of the State of Israel." But that letter did not stop the reservists from announcing their protest in a separate letter on Sunday.

Weekly and increasingly raucous demonstrations have swept the country, with some protest leaders – among them former military chiefs – saying that a non-democratic turn in government would warrant mass-disobedience within the ranks. The 37 air force reservists said they would suspend their one-day protest if required to carry out actual operations.

A military spokesperson declined to comment on their letter but said top commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevy "is aware of the public discourse and division but will not allow any harm to the IDF's (Israel Defence Forces) ability to carry out its most important mission – defend(ing) Israel's security".

Officers had been instructed to speak with subordinates on the issue, said the statement, which also reiterated the "importance of maintaining the IDF's impartiality". Israel does not publish military personnel figures, making it hard to judge to impact of the air force reservists' protest, or of similar pledges by some reservists from other branches.

"These irresponsible Israeli media are playing up any reservist who makes some kind of statement," Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich told Channel 12 News. "There are tens and hundreds of thousands who will continue to enlist for the military and serve in the reserves and understand that we are brothers and bear responsibility for the great miracle that is the Zionist enterprise."

Netanyahu, a former officer in Israel's most prestigious commando unit, tweeted a photograph of himself at conscription age with the caption: "When called up for reserve duty, we always turn up. We are one nation."

Former IDF Chief of Staff, MK Gadi Eizenkot answered the reservists in the 69th Squadron and asked them to leave the IDF out of the debate: "As a citizen and member of the Knesset, who opposes the legal reform, I urge you to refrain from boycotting the reserves. I understand your great pain and cherish the hundreds of thousands who are fighting for the future of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence... but without the IDF there is no State of Israel. We must keep it out of this important and just struggle."

The force's reserves are an integral part of the IDF, and in fact, serve as the hand of the State of Israel. To maintain operational competence, reserve aircrew members come to the squadrons every week and participate in many operational activities. They reportedly carry out attacks in Syria and are an essential part of any potential attack on Iran.

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Israeli Air Force (IAF) Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin has returned to Israel from a three-day visit to the United States where he met with US Air Force General Charles Q. Brown Jr. and other senior officials, the IAF said in a statement on Thursday.

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"The visit was held in light of recent strategic developments in the Middle East and the need for close cooperation with international allies, which has become an integral part of the IAF's operation in the region," the IAF posted to Twitter.

The IAF said that Norkin and Brown discussed "the future tanker and F-35 programs and operational cooperation between the forces," with Brown emphasizing the importance of the relationship between the two air forces.

The IAF chief also met with US Marine Corps officials and with corporations "central to the IAF's force buildup and operational capabilities."

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett was in Washington on Thursday where he was scheduled to meet at the White House with US President Joe Biden to discuss security coordination among other issues.

However, the talks were postponed due to the attack near the Kabul airport on Thursday that the Pentagon confirmed killed "a number of US service members."

In May, Defense Minister Benny Gantz visited Washington and held discussions with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon as part of talks aimed at strengthening the ceasefire agreed to between Israel and Hamas.

"Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has reaffirmed the United States' staunch support for Israel's security," the Pentagon said in a statement after that meeting.

This article was first published by i24NEWS.

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The Israeli Air Force struck several Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night in response to a wave of incendiary balloons launched by the terrorist organization into Israel a day earlier, causing several fires in the south.

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The IAF bombed a Hamas camp and a rocket-launching site, the IDF said in a statement, and emphasized that it would "continue to respond with strikes to any further terror attempts from Gaza."

On Friday, arson balloons launched from the strip sparked four brush fires in the south. The fires broke out in the Kissufim and Beeri forests, two nature reserves located near the Gaza border, officials said.

The attack came hours after escalation on the northern border after Hezbollah fired a barrage of rockets on the Jewish state.

Gaza balloon unit Ahfad An-Nassar claimed responsibility for the launches, saying it had attacked Israel "in solidarity" with Lebanon following retaliatory IAF airstrikes in Lebanon last week that came in response to sporadic rocket fire on northern Israel.

Earlier in the day, Hamas expressed "full support" for Hezbollah's attack on the "Zionist enemy," saying the Shiite terrorist group was "challenging Israel's attempts to impose its own rules of engagement."

Hezbollah took responsibility for launching rockets at Israeli territory on Friday, saying it was in response to Israeli airstrikes on open areas in the al-Jarmaq and al-Shawakir areas on Wednesday night.

i24NEWS contributed to this report.

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Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, and Defense Minister Benny Gantz have agreed on a defense budget to be passed as part of the state budget for 2022: 58 billion shekels ($17.8 billion).

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The ministers agreed that the defense budget would enable the IDF to equip and strengthen itself in light of current threats, with an emphasis on acquisitions from defense firms based in the Israeli periphery.

The understandings also included an allocation of 750 million shekels ($230 million) for the home front; promotion of reforms in the treatment and recognition of wounded IDF veterans; and full funding for a scholarship program for veterans of IDF service and national service.

A decision was also taken to decide on the length of compulsory IDF service, based on a balanced framework that the Defense Ministry has laid out.

An official message reported that "the prime minister, finance minister, and defense minister welcome the agreement and call on all ministers and ministries to reach understandings as soon as possible so the state budget can be approved in an orderly manner in the cabinet and the Knesset."

Meanwhile, reports Tuesday said that Lieberman wanted the defense establishment to invest more resources into the IDF's ground forces, particularly long-range, precise ground missiles, and thinks that the defense apparatus spends liberally on the Israeli Air Force at the expense of the military's ground forces.

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The governments of Israel and Greece are on the way to a massive defense deal after the Israeli Defense Ministry won a tender to build a training base for the Greek Air Force, to be executed by Israel's Elbit Systems Ltd., the Greek government confirmed Tuesday.

Elbit will also operate the base, to be known as the Flight Training Center, for a period of 20 years and deliver training aircraft fleets equipped with its avionics and embedded training solutions. Elbit will also supply the base with its flight simulators and training aids, as well as ongoing logistical support.

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The Greek Air force will also acquire 10 Italian M-346 training aircraft, which the Israeli Air Force also uses to train cadet pilots.

The deal is worth a reported $1.68 billion, and is contingent upon the successful completion of negotiations with the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense.

Video: Elbit Systems

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Tuesday that the agreement was "an expression of the excellent and developing relations we have with Greece. This is a long-term partnership that will serve the interests of both Greece and Israel."

"This is a partnership that will promote stability in the Mediterranean region, and create hundreds of jobs in both countries," Gantz added.

Gantz said he had spoken to his Greek counterpart, Nikos Panayiotopoulos, and expressed his appreciation for Panayiotopoulos' personal involvement in promoting the deal and bringing it to the Greek government for approval.

Elbit Systems president and CEO Bezhalel Machlis said his company was "honored to have been selected to provide such an important capability to the Hellenic Air Force."

Machlis said he believed the cooperation would further strengthen the relationship between Israel and Greece, and said that securing the tender was an indication of Elbit's prominence in training and providing knowledge and tested technologies that "improve readiness while reducing costs."

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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.

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Four pairs of pilots and navigators head out to the Lavie planes, including Lt. N, a navigator and one of the only three women to graduate in her class. Ordinarily, N. would arrive carrying her helmet and put it on while standing next to the plane. Now, in the shadow of coronavirus, everyone arrives protected.

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N. runs her hand over the plane to make sure everything is all right, that there are no cracks on the wings, no bird stuck in the engine. Later, she will stand squarely in front of the aircraft to make sure it's balanced. It's a routine check, and a private moment with her aircraft.

"It's my little ceremony," N. explains later, with a bashful smile. "A moment where I connect to the plane. I like to look at it and ask it to be good to me, for there not to be any problems. The same way some people believe that you have to enter a new house on the right foot."

N. climbs up to the rear seat of the Lavie. It's a fairly new Italian aircraft, only in use in Israel for six years, and for training. The engines start, the wheels begin to move, and in a moment, the plane shoots forward on the runway and disappears into the sky. Three others follow.

Less than half an hour later, N. is back on the ground, rushing to study her flight in the squadron room. After every flight, performance is evaluated, and pilots and navigators learn what they can improve. N. has been flying on the Lavie for the past year and a half, after dozens of hours in smaller training aircraft.

Despite being one of only 59 women to graduate the pilots course since the inception of the Israeli Air Force, N. stays modest.

N. was near the end of her compulsory service when she made it into the course, and at age 24, she was one of the older cadets. Her eyes are clear and pretty, and she speaks rapidly and with confidence. She already has a BA in politics and government.

N. comes from a long line of IAF personnel. Her grandfather, Brig. Gen. (ret.) Amichai Shmueli, 84, was commander of the 117th Squadron during the 1967 Six-Day War and commander of the Hatzerim Air Force Base during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Two of his three sons served as IAF pilots. N.'s maternal uncle was also a pilot.

Her father, Lt. Col. Y., 55, was a combat pilot who flew on Kfir and Skyhawk aircraft. He commanded a squadron out of Uvda, and seven years ago became a flight instructor in the reserves. Since 2006, he has been a civilian pilot for El Al (he is currently furloughed). Her mother, a scientist, did her military service as an operations clerk with the 102nd Squadron.

N.'s younger sister teaches on flight simulators at Hatzerim. Sometimes they run into each other on the base.

N. was born at Hatzerim, where her family had quarters, and when she was five they moved to Uvda Base, and from there to Reut. In high school, she specialized in physics and theater. In 2014, when she enlisted in the military, she completed a course to train pilots on simulators, and then served as an instructor at Palmachim Base, which required her to sign on for extended service.

"I never dreamed of being a pilot or anything," N. says, smiling. "When I enlisted, they didn't invite me to join the pilots course, and I didn't ask. The other jobs seemed interesting and challenging enough."

She has trained hundreds of air personnel on simulators, but only in her third and final year did she start to see the attraction of flying.

"Suddenly, I started getting more interested in what the fliers were doing and wanted to move onto that. The desire to get into the course grew from there," she says.

Her parents didn't push her in that direction.

"We weren't wild about the idea, because we know the dangers of that path," says her father, Y. "We know the difficulties of the course. The cadets are always under pressure, and we knew that we would be tense at every stage of exams and cuts. Every few months, everyone is 'grilled' and they're always tested on their performance and abilities. It's enormous pressure.

"We told her what we were told as children: 'If you want it, go for it.' We knew she would. She always had big aspirations and great abilities," her father adds.

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N. was approved to try out for the course. She passed the requisite medical, psychological, and personality tests.
"Suddenly, I wasn't 100% sure it was what I wanted to do. I took a few days to decide if I wanted to start the course [that] July, or be discharged. I didn't have big plans for life after my discharge, there was nothing specific I wanted to study or any big trip I had planned. In the end, I said that if I regretted it, I could be discharged at the early stage of the course. Later, you have to sign on for seven years of career service."

She arrived at the pre-course trials and was happy to hear her name called out as having made the cut. Her cell phone battery was dead; she borrowed someone else's mobile and called her parents, who told her they were proud.

Her course began on July 13, 2017, three days after her original discharge date.

"For others, it was their first encounter with the army. For me, it was more service … From the rank of staff sergeant, I went back to six months of basic training, with schedules and sleeping in tents," she says. "But I enjoyed it."

The pilots course is split into several stages. The first two comprise a year of ground training that includes basic training and theory, fitness, leadership, etc. Then cadets are divided into various tracks, such as combat, transport, etc. This is followed by a year of academic study and six months of advanced training, when they actually fly.

"The things you go through in the course, with everyone else, make everyone good friends. There was one time we had to navigate in pairs. I was paired with K., and each one was responsible for one part of the navigation. We started to get lost, we couldn't find our way, and we were running short on time. We realized we had failed, and the commanders told us to open our maps, which is like when a driving instructor hits the brakes for you.

"In the end, we went 22 km. without knowing where we were going. We had a good few hours to get to know each other, to talk."

N. did not pass her first test on the Efroni [T6 Texan II] training aircraft. "It was really hard for me. Not just because it was a test I failed, but because it was a test I was supposed to fly on my own after passing. I was disappointed in myself, frustrated because I knew I could perform well, but hadn't."

"Two days later, I was tested again, this time with a million percent motivation to succeed, and I passed. I flew for half an hour with the examiner, and then I dropped him off and flew again on my own. Just me and the plane, alone in the sky.

"Flying is insane," she says, her hand resting on her heart. "It's an amazing sensation, a sensation of power, with a lot of responsibility. The air force gives you a plane, alone, and you need to take off and fly and land on your own. It's all up to you, because no one else will land the plane," she says.

The mid-course evaluation committees assigned N. to the combat track as a pilot. A few weeks later, they determined that she was better fit to serve as a combat navigator.

When asked if she was disappointed at the reassignment, N. says, "No, the opposite. I was happy I was still in the course. I thought they were giving me a chance to serve in a role I'd be good at. I didn't come in with the dream of being a pilot, I didn't have a specific job in mind."

As part of their training, cadet navigators fly with pilots who completed the course six months before them.

"So we fly with friends from the course before us. It's an amazing feeling. On one hand, you're flying with someone you know and you're comfortable with, and they're about your age. On the other hand, you have to maintain professionalism and stay responsible."

Shortly after her first solo flight, cadets' families were allowed to visit. N.'s parents, sister, and even grandad Amichai came to the base where they had spent considerable time. The cadets still flew their training flights, with their parents watching from the side of the runway.

Amichai, who has seen plenty of cadets flying planes, was moved.

"It's unbelievable. Suddenly I see this girl, who would cry at nursery school, climb up into the plane and fly it," her grandfather says.

Y., the proud father, adds: "Anyone who knows the profession knows that she's sweating inside. She's not flying abroad for a vacation. When she's in the plane, it's hard work, and it was moving and captivating to see her doing it."

While Y. still has friends at the base, N. says no one has gone easy on her.

"There are certain instructors I didn't fly with because they know my dad. It wouldn't be professional to fly with someone who served with your father. I'm not the only one with a family history in the air force, and everyone knows that we stay professional and there's no favoritism for relatives."

Y. says, "She wasn't accepted to the course because of me, just like my brothers and I weren't accepted because of our father. She succeeded because of her own talents, which are better than mine, because she got them from her mother."

N. likes the fact that her parents understand her world, "because when I come home, I can tell them about a flight or about combat air training, and both my parents will understand what I'm talking about. Sometimes my dad will say, 'You could have approached it like this,' and demonstrate with his hands, and I show him another way of doing it.

"On the other hand, my parents were in the air force a long time ago, and now it's different. So I mostly share experiences, and talk to them less about flight systems and stuff."

A total of 250 cadets started the course with N. She was one of only 40 to graduate – 37 men and three women.
"The demands on the girls are almost identical to those on the boys. Other than the physical standards in the first year, where we lift lower weights to prevent injuries. Aside from that, no one cut us any slack. I was happy there were other girls, we were good friends. The air force needs high-quality personnel, and it doesn't matter whether they're men or women," she says.

N. says that most women don't think they can complete the pilots course, and calls that "a shame."

"Girls should come and try out, even if they think it's hard, even if they think they won't succeed. It's better to try, and if worst comes to worst, fail, than not take advantage of a chance to fly.

"True, there are a lot of amazing jobs for women in the army, but being on the front line is insane, and pilots are on the front line. So I suggest that every woman who is offered the chance take it," she urges.

Amichai says, "If today there are women directors of hospitals, female professors in research institutes, there's no reason why there shouldn't be women pilots. Girls can at least try the course. It's tough, physically, too, but if they have high motivation, young women can do it just like a guy can."

Is N. eager to start flying actual operations?

"Very impatient," she says with a grin. "I really want to start taking duty shifts."

"I feel very confident in the place, but for now I'm still at the learning stage. I'm taking it step by step. The way I see it, this is the stage to practice and be the best I can at what I do. It will take time before I can fly on operations."

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