Remarks by IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, during  the IAF Flight School graduation ceremony:

“Dear soldiers, the skies of the Middle East, which you are soon about to encounter in your aircraft, are covered with clouds of threats, both near and far. The attempts by several states and terrorist organizations to de-legitimize the State of Israel, highlights that in this just struggle, only a strong military, which relies on a powerful air force, can meet the difficult challenges ahead. These sensitive times in which we live make the responsibility [that rests] on your shoulders much greater.”

The graduation ceremony took place today in the Hazerim Air Force base. The pilots received their “flight wings” after finishing a three-year long course during which they were trained as pilots and officers in addition to receiving an academic degree from the Ben Gurion University. The President of the State of Israel, Mr. Shimon Peres, Minister of Defense, Mr. Ehud Barak,  Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Israel Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan were present at the ceremony in addition to family, guests, friends and IAF personnel.

During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan said:

“Today, the air force holds the highest capabilities and best air craft in the world… Substantial work has been put into developing these capabilities, in day or night, to face challenges near and far. We have reached new grounds with our un-manned aerial vehicles and even managed to make a single, very important step into space. We are proud of this progress…”