Israeli Air Bases
Jerusalem Airport
Not many people know that Jerusalem has an airport, let alone an international
one. Situated on the outskirts of this ancient city, the airport has handled
aircraft as large as Aeroflot A-310 Airbus....Apart from numerous light
aircraft, a UN F-27 Friendship (HB-AAZ), a civil DC-3 and a corporate Gulfstream
IV (C-FJES) was also in attendance.
Hertzlia Airfield
Hertzlia, to the north of Tel Aviv, has a busy civil airfield that is
home to the biggest private aircraft company in Israel, operating helicopters,
light utility aircraft and crop-sprayers. After a short history of the
airfield, the airport manager took us on a tour of the apron that included
his pride and joy - a derelict ex-USN Grumman Avenger (85506/N6682D or-69355/N7850C).
Among the civil aircraft were ex-IAF Piper Cubs.
Sde Dov Airport (Tel Aviv)
Situated a few kilometers from the centre of Tel Aviv, this airport
has tremendous historical importance. Originally built as a private airstrip
next to the Tel Aviv power station in the 1930's (in fact, the runway is
perilously close to the two tall towers), Sde Dov (also known as Sde Tov)
was the first airbase used by the newly formed Cheyl Ha'Avir during the
War of Independence (1948). Mustang's, Spitfire's, S-199's and other assorted
odd-lots all operated from the single runway.
Now the home base of Arkia Airlines (De Havilland Dash-7 and Twin Otters)
as well as being used by El Al, the Air Force still uses the airport as
a base. Squadrons that operate from the base include 100 Sqn (Cessna 206),
125 Sqn (Bell 206), 128 (U-21/C-12), 129 Sqn (Cessna 206), 135 Sqn (Dornier
Do-28) and 191 Sqn (RU-21/RC-12). As this base is perhaps the most accessible of all IDF/AF bases, it is
well worth the ten minute drive from Tel-Aviv. Even if you can't get in,
the view from the street is still worth it.
Ben Gurion International Airport (Lod Air Base)
Known to all and sundry, Ben Gurion International Airport needs no introduction.
The gateway to Israel, this airport is the busiest civil airport in the
Middle East, except on a Saturday. Although no scheduled
services are flown by El Al on the Sabbath, aircraft are still serviced
and flown. All the heavy transport squadrons of the IDF/AF are based at
Lod, as the military side is called. The runways are shared by the military
and civilian traffic. The manufacturing and modification facilities of
Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) are also located at Ben Gurion.
Ramat David Air Base
As you near this airbase in Northern Israel, your heart-beat quickens
as your ears pulsate to the sound of the F-110 GE-100 engine that powers
the Barak (Lightning), as the F-16C is known in Israeli service. Home to
109, 110 and 117 Squadrons who fly the F-16C/D and 190 Sqn with their Hughes
MD 500 helicopters, this base will excite even the most battle-hardened
enthusiast. Once inside the base, you are greeted by the gate-guard, a
Meteor F.8 (number 013). There is no problem about taking notes and making
drawings, but cameras are strictly verboten. It is at this base that I
became aware of the different attitude to flight-crew clothing as compared
to overseas air forces. Although the crew all proudly wear their squadron/aircraft
patches, there is a total lack of rank or occupational insignia. Dictated
by combat experience, you are unable to tell the difference between, example,
a colonel pilot and a sergeant flight-engineer. No flashy stars, bars or
wings here!
Squadron 117 was formed in 1953 equipped with Meteors, progressing via
the Mirage 111 to the F-16A. It was this squadron, together with 110 Squadron,
that attacked the Iraqi nuclear reactor in 1981. The squadron is now equipped
with the F-16C/D, the most potent single-engined fighter in the world. Covering the walls of the lounge, next
to the briefing room, plaques are mounted for each air-to-air victory achieved
by the squadron, detailing the aircraft type and date. Aircraft ranged
from the Vampire, Hunter, Su-17 and MiG-21 to the MiG-25.
After the briefings we were led to the simulator building were a novice
pilot was just completing his take-off checks. The simulator is fully functional
and incorporates a large dome over the motionless cockpit onto which the
computer generated graphics are displayed. Outside the dome are three instructor/operator
stations incorporating numerous VDU's displaying the visual graphics, cockpit
instruments, maps, parameters, etc. After take-off and the ensuing low-level
flight, the maps displayed circles around geographical locations, together
with audio tones.
Palmachim Air Base
Situated in central Israel, Palmachim is the main IAF/DF helicopter
base. Squadrons based at this large station include 124 (Bell 212/UH-60),
127 (AH-64),160 and 161 (AH-1), 193 (HH-65) and 200 (RPV's). The 124 Squadron, our hosts, have recently become the first Israeli unit to be equipped with the UH-60A, having being formed in January 1958 with the Sikorsky S-58. After the briefing we were taken onto the flight line
to inspect the two Bell-212's on alert. One was configured for Casevac
duties, while the other was a trash-hauler. Larger and more powerful than
the early Hueys, these machines will be retired in the near future.
Hatzerim Air Base
Hatzerim is home to the impressive Airforce Museum as well as being
an operational base, home to various training squadrons. The museum occupies
the north-west corner of the sprawling Negev Desert base and as one wanders
around the collection, F-4's, A-4's, Queenairs and Tsukit's (Magister's)
continually fly in the pattern overhead. If you're really lucky, who may
even see an E-2 Hawkeye.
Over 140 perfectly restored
and preserved aircraft are orderly laid out in rows, with each aircraft
described by a neat sign. Only the airworthy aircraft, of which there are
about 15, are kept under cover, the dry desert air protecting the others....The range of aircraft
on display covers the entire story of air warfare in Israel, from the light singles and Rapides used by the Sherut Avir in Palestine to the Spitfire, Mustang, Mystere, Mirage III, Kfir, Phantom II and A-4. The list is endless, with many rare types such as the Republic Seabee. The transports are not
ignored, with several examples of the Dakota, Noratlas, Stratocruiser and
B-707 on display. Even foreign aircraft are represented. Apart from the
obvious MiG-15, MiG-17 and MiG-21 examples (even a MiG-19 tailplane), one
of the two airworthy Syrian Gazelles is also on display. To add a bit of
extra flavour, a Chilian Hunter and British Vampires are also displayed.
Adjacent, and part of, the official display are numerous revetments
containing about 40 additional airframes. These range from complete Tzukit's
to recognizable Alouette II, Spitfire, Mustang, and Harvard airframes,
amongst others....If you're prepared to walk, you will
find a dump containing the remains of Cessna's, Boeing-Stearman Kaydet's
and other unrecognizable pieces of aluminium. Also on display are weapons,
drones and captured radar and SAM batteries.
Sources: Israeli Air Force Tour |