Monthly Archives: December 2010

IAF Flight School Graduates its 161st Class in Ceremony Today

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161st Flight School Graduation Ceremony, December 2010

“Our most valuable weapon is you, our pilots and navigators. You are our guarantee to safety”

- Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, IAF Flight School Graduation, 30 December 2010

The IAF Flight School Graduation Ceremony was held today (Thursday, December 30th) at the IAF Hazerim base where the new pilots were awarded their ‘flight wings’. The ceremony marks the end of a three-year course that includes officer and pilot training as well as an academic degree from 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 and IAF Commander, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan attended the ceremony as did the graduates’ families, guests and IAF staff.

161st Flight School Graduation Ceremony, December 2010

The IAF Flight School is widely considered to be one of the most prestigious and challenging paths to take in the IDF, and its graduates are an elite few who have passed three years of grueling tests as cadets. Among the graduates are three females, one of whom will be a combat navigator, and the other two who will be pilots.

Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi spoke at the ceremony and noted that, “I have seen the most advanced weapons in the IAF and the most sophisticated planes that can reach any destination. Even after observing the capabilities of planes like the “F-15I” and the “Hercules” and flying in both of them, I am still convinced that our most valuable weapon is you – our pilots and navigators. You are our guarantee to safety and thanks to you we continue to march upwards during times of need. You and your partners in the IAF will be there to protect our existence in this country.”

IAF Commander, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehushtan noted that, “courage in the skies and strong roots in the ground are the essence of the IAF’s legendary legacy. Now you are part of it, as aircrew fighters. Dear graduates, the ‘[flight] wings’ also symbolize the high expectations of your future. Today you are joining the most elite of our fighters; those fighters whom the people of Israel entrust with their safety every day.”

For more information about this and other IDF ceremonies, please visit the “Ceremonies and Formal Events” Flickr album here.

IDF Thwarts Second Terror Attack in Gaza Strip in Less Than 72 Hours

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A short while ago an IDF force identified a number of suspects planting explosives along the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. A combined force, consisting of IAF aircraft and an armored force fired at the suspects. The forces confirmed hitting one of the suspects.

Today’s events mark the second incident at this location in the past 72 hours. On Sunday, December 26th, several suspects were identified planting explosives in the same location. In response IDF forces and an IAF aircraft opened fire at the suspects, and confirmed direct hits.

The presence of Palestinian civilians in the area adjacent to the security fence is used by terrorist organizations as cover for their activities, including planting explosive devices, planning terrorist attacks and attempting to kidnap IDF soldiers. For this reason, the IDF will not allow anyone to be present in this area. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

Italian Chief of Defense and IDF Chief of General Staff Discuss Mutual Challenges

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As part of his work visit to Israel, General Vincenzo Camporini, the Italian Chief of Defense, met today with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. General Camporini was received by an honorary guard at the Kirya base in Tel Aviv, and then attended strategic and security briefings. Gen. Camporini is scheduled to visit the Old City in Jerusalem and the “Yad Va-Shem” Holocaust Memorial Museum.

During the reception ceremony at the Kirya Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi commented, “two years after Operation Cast Lead the situation in the Gaza Strip is different and calmer. Yet, sadly, from time to time, rockets and mortar shells are fired at the Israeli home front. We will not accept this. The IDF holds the terrorist organization Hamas solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip. We hope that the security situation in the south does not deteriorate, however the IDF is prepared for any scenario.” Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi further commented that, “relations between the IDF and the Italian military are very important and are based on mutual values and interests. Italy is a great friend of Israel and is one of the most involved forces in the region. It contributes great numbers of forces to UNIFIL and in Afghanistan, and in the war on terror.”

Italian Chief of Defense, General Vincenzo Camporini, commented that, “this is a great opportunity to further strengthen the excellent relations between the two militaries, manifested in mutual training and technology. Italy is present in the Middle East and is dealing with the important issue of stability in the region.” General Camporini added that he has recently returned from a visit to his forces in Lebanon and mentioned that he could clearly see the influence of the international forces on the region. He noted that his visit to Israel is one of several mutual visits emphasizing the good relations between the two militaries and commanders.

More information regarding the Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi’s visit to Italy in July of this year can be viewed here.

Chief of Defense Staff of Italy to Arrive in Israel for Work Visit

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Gabi Ashkenani, Italian Armed Forces, Israel Defense Forces, Vincenzo Camporini

Chief of Defense Staff, General Vincenzo Camporini (left) and Lieutenant General Gabi Ashkenazi in Rome during July earlier this year

The Italian Chief of Defense Staff, General Vincenzo Camporini, will arrive in Israel today (Sunday, December 26th) for a three-day work visit as a guest of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

During the visit General Camporini will meet with his counterpart Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi and will be briefed on strategic and security matters; future cooperation between the two militaries will also be discussed. During his visit, Camporini is expected to tour Jerusalem, including a visit to the Old City and the “Yad Vashem” Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The IDF places great importance on the development and maintenance of international cooperation as means to deal with mutual challenges. This visit is part of a series of cooperative exchanges with the IDF. Previous exchanges have included visits by the German Chief of Defense, the American Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Bulgarian Chief of Staff, as well as a visit by Lt. General Ashkenazi to Italy five months ago.

For more photos of official visits, international cooperation and IDF foreign relations visit the IDF’s Flickr.

IDF Thwarts Terror Attack in Southern Gaza Strip

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Overnight, an IDF force identified a number of suspects planting explosives along the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip. A combined force, consisting of IAF helicopters and an armored force fired at the suspects, and confirmed direct hits.

It should be noted that a number of explosive devices were detonated near IDF forces on patrol during the last month.

The presence of Palestinian civilians in the area adjacent to the security fence is used by terrorist organizations as cover for their activities, including planting explosive devices, planning terrorist attacks and attempting to kidnap IDF soldiers. For this reason, the IDF will not allow anyone to be present in this area. The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it.

IAF Hit Smuggling Tunnel and Terror Center Targets in Gaza Strip in Response to Continued Rocket Fire

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Last night, November 25th, the IAF struck an active terror center in the northern Gaza Strip and a smuggling tunnel in the south. Direct hits were confirmed.

The IAF hit both targets in response to the continued rocket fire against Israel’s southern communities. During the past week alone, twenty-four mortar shells and three Qassam rockets were fired from Gaza; one of the Qassams landed near a kindergarten in Kibbutz Zikim during the morning hours, as the children were arriving.

The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. The IDF will continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

IDF’s Nachal Brigade Helps Restore the Carmel Forest after the Fires

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Yesterday, as many as a thousand soldiers from the IDF’s Nachal Infantry Brigade helped clear and rebuild various walking paths, paint signs and more in areas damaged by the Carmel fires.

On the 2nd of December 2010 a blazing fire began spreading wildly through the Carmel Forest near Haifa in northern Israel, eradicating over 750 acres and resulting in the death of 44 people including firemen, police officers and Israel Prison Service cadets who were on their way to evacuate inmates. Firefighting delegations from around the world rallied to help Israel stop the spread of fire including planes and helicopters from Greece, Bulgaria, Cypress, Britain, Turkey, Russia, France, Italy, the US and Switzerland.

The IDF sent forces to assist in the fight including forces from the IAF, thousands of soldiers, hundreds of vehicles, dozens of engineering machines and military firefighting vehicles. The efforts went on for days until the fire was finally extinguished on the 5th of December.

Gaza Strip Weekly Crossing Report for December 12th to 18th, 23 Dec 2010

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The Israeli Government, together with the IDF, coordinates the delivery of a variety of humanitarian aid and development assistance to the civilian population of the Gaza Strip on a daily basis. The following report details cross-border activities for the December 12th-18th, 2010.

During this period, a total of 917 truckloads crossed from Israel, carrying 22,167 tons of goods, humanitarian aid and development assistance for Gaza’s civilian population. 180 truckloads of construction materials were transferred into the Strip during this period.

In addition, 909,664 liters of Heavy-Duty Diesel fuel were transferred to the Gaza Power Plant, and 457 tons of cooking gas were transferred into the Strip. 263 patients and accompanying individuals exited Gaza for medical treatment and 238 international organization staff members entered the Strip.

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IAF Strikes Hamas Target in Southern Gaza Strip in Response to Rocket Fire, 21 Dec 2010

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A short while ago, the IAF targeted a Hamas terror activity center in the southern Gaza Strip. A direct hit was confirmed.

The IAF struck this terror target in response to the rocket fire directed at Israel’s southern communities over the past week. Just this morning, a Qassam rocket landed near a kindergarten in Kibbutz Zikim. This rocket was approximately the fifteenth military-use projectile that landed in Israel since Monday morning.

Since the beginning of 2010, over 200 Grad missiles, Qassam rockets and mortar shells have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory.

The IDF holds the Hamas terrorist organization solely responsible for maintaining the calm in the Gaza Strip and for any terrorist activity emanating from it. The IDF will also continue to respond harshly to any attempt to use terror against the State of Israel.

IAF Opens New “Eitan” UAV Squadron to Operational Use, 21 December 2010

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The “Eitan” Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Squadron opening ceremony took place on the Tel-Nof IAF Base yesterday, December 20th 2010.

The “Eitan” UAV was developed by the IAF and Israel’s Homeland Security Industry, and was officially integrated by the IAF in February 2010.

This new development signifies yet another breakthrough in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles for the IAF, and constitutes an improvement in operational capabilities responding to threats, be they near or far, routine or emergent.

The inauguration of the new squadron is yet another step for the new system in becoming operational.

The Tel-Nof IAF Base Commander, Brigadier-General A, said: “Several minutes ago we unveiled the squadron flag. For the IAF, the term “squadron” embodies values- the value of norms, of operational abilities, of tending to people, developing weapons systems and many other areas. But most of all the term “squadron” embodies the values of responsibility. The responsibility to fulfill the expectations of Israeli citizens, to fulfill our operational goals, and the responsibility for our people and for the ongoing preservation of our legacy”.