History & Overview
The Eighties provided the IAF with many new challenges. Apart from its achievements in the 1982
air war over Lebanon and many special operations such as the raids
over Baghdad and Tunis,
the IAF underwent a period of transition. The Camp
David agreements brought long-awaited peace with Egypt but forced the evacuation of Israeli-designed bases in the Sinai. Three
new bases were inaugurated. Adjustments also had to be made due to the
loss of training airspace. Moreover, redefining the force structure
became a major concern in light of continuing Arab arms purchases, as
opposed to Israel's need to cut defense spending during a historic period
of immigration.
Today's IAF includes a variety
of aircraft and systems which enable it to meet the challenge posed
by an ever-growing threat, anywhere and anytime.
The 1985 attack against the PLO headquarters in Tunis demonstrated the long reach of the IAF. One year later, an incredible
rescue mission over Lebanon culminated with a downed pilot clutching
the skid of a Cobra attack helicopter. In December 1988, during a special operation against
terrorist bases in southern Lebanon, IAF helicopters located and retrieved
Israeli soldiers who had become separated form the main force. This
reaffirmed a fundamental IDF policy of never leaving troops behind in
combat.
In a very different role, the IAF directed Operation
Solomon in 1991,which brought the remnant of Ethiopia's Jewish community
home to Israel.
The IAF performs a wide range of duties.
Its ten primary missions have been defined as follows:
- To defend Israel's airspace and the Israel Defense Forces'
(IDF) area of operations.
- To achieve air superiority above the area of combat and
to participate in the ground war.
- To attack strategic targets in enemy territory.
- To participate in combat in the naval theatre.
- To carry out air transport operations.
- Providing air intelligence as part of the general intelligence
picture.
- To carry out aerial photography missions for all IDF
needs.
- To preform air search-and-rescue missions.
- To assist civil aviation authorities in command, control
and services (as required)
Sources: IDF |