119 Squadron (Israel)
| 119 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 Bat Squadron | |
| Active | 8 September 1956 – present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israeli Air Force |
| Role | Air Defence |
| Garrison/HQ | Ramon Airbase |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16I Sufa |
119 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Bat Squadron, is an Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufa fighter squadron based at Ramon Airbase.[1]
History
[edit]Meteor, Vautour and Mirage (1956–1970)
[edit]The 119 Squadron was first formed on 8 September 1956 at Tel Nof Airbase, under the command of Yoash Tzidon. The squadron was equipped with the Gloster Meteor NF.13, seeing its first two jets delivered in October 1956. The squadron participated in the Suez Crisis, but its operations were limited due to lack of crew and aircraft.[2] However, 119 Squadron did shoot down an Egyptian Air Force Ilyushin Il-14 on the 28 October 1956, the day before the conflict started.[3][2]
In May 1958, 119 Squadron began to receive the French-built Sud Aviation Vautour IIN. The squadron continued to operate both the Meteor NF.13 and Vautour IIN until 1963, when the Meteor NF.13 was retired from Israeli service and the Vautours were transferred to 110 Squadron at Ramat David Airbase. This was done ahead of 119 Squadron's conversion to the Dassault Mirage IIICJ in March 1964.[2]
119 Squadron fought in the Six-Day War, under the command of Ran Ronen-Pekker,[4] where it emerged as the top scoring unit in the Israeli Air Force, with 19 air combat kills to two losses.[2] Giora Romm became Israel's first ace during the conflict while serving the 119 Squadron.[5][6] The squadron was also continually involved in the subsequent War of Attrition.[2]
Kurnass (1970–2004)
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In 1970, 119 Squadron relocated to Ramat David Airbase and began to convert to the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass. It also received a pair of RF-4E Orevs in 1971. The squadron fought in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973.[2] During the war, 119 Squadron participated in the Syrian General Staff Headquarters Raid on 9 October.[7] After the war, the squadron relocated back to Tel Nof Airbase.[2]
119 Squadron fought in the 1982 Lebanon War.[7]
In 1989, the squadron began to receive the upgraded F-4E Kurnass 2000, completing conversion by 1992.[2] 119 Squadron continued to operate the Kurnass 2000 and Orev until their retirement in 2004.[8]
Sufa (2004–present)
[edit]
In 2004, 119 Squadron relocated to Ramon Airbase, swapping places with 157 Squadron, which moved to Ramat David Airbase. On 28 December 2004, the squadron received its first Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufas.[8]
In March 2018, the IAF confirmed that 119 Squadron, together with Squadrons 69 and 253, took part in Operation Orchard.[9] During a briefing prior to the mission, the commander of 119 Squadron wrote in his notes that the operation “will change the face of the Middle East.”[9]
Aircraft operated
[edit]Aircraft operated include:[2][8]
- Gloster Meteor NF.13 (1956–1963)
- Sud Aviation Vautour IIN (1958–1963)
- Dassault Mirage IIICJ/CJ(R)/BJ (1963–1970)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass (1970–1992)
- McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Orev (1971–2004)
- McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass 2000 (1989–2004)
- Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufa (2004–present)
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ "119 Squadron - The Bat". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "119 Squadron". Aeroflight. 26 September 1999. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ "Accident Ilyushin Il-14 1101, Sunday 28 October 1956". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Grossman, Danny (5 December 2016). "Saying good-bye to Ran Pekker, the legendary IAF combat pilot". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ "Giora Romm, Israeli Air Force's first 'ace,' dies at 78". Times of Israel. 12 August 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ Frantzman, Seth J. (5 June 2014). "Through their sights". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Tajeset 119 "Ha'Atalef"". Valka. Retrieved 22 July 2008.
- ^ a b c "Tayeset 119 (IDFAF)". f-16.net. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Ending a decade of silence, Israel confirms it blew up Assad's nuclear reactor". Retrieved 21 March 2018.
References
[edit]- Norton, Bill (2004). Air War on the Edge – A History of the Israel Air Force and its Aircraft since 1947. Midland Publishing. ISBN 1-85780-088-5.
External links
[edit]
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| Helicopter squadrons | ||
| Command / transport | ||
| Unmanned | ||
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