IAF pilot to 'Post': Defense op was most meaningful flight of my career

• Published date: 16 April 2024
• Author: TAMAR URIEL-BEERI
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

He was referring, of course, to Israel's broad defense operation amid the multifaceted airstrikes launched by the Islamic Regime, titled Iron Shield

While N was faced with disappointment on Friday when he told his wife that he would not be coming home that night – or that entire weekend, for that matter – he was filled with both "excitement" and "focus," once he was briefed on the historic operation he would be partaking in.

The IDF – and, indeed, the world – understood quite early on that an Iranian attack was imminent. Israel's defense systems needed only to be prepared.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Saturday night, N and his fellow pilots were alerted that it was time to take to the skies.

"I've been a pilot for over 20 years, and I have participated in many operations, both in and out of Israel. This was the most meaningful flight [yet]," he said. "Since October 7, we, like all of the air force, moved to the highest alertness level, whether it be relating to Gaza or further threats."

That night, Israel deployed Eitam, Shavit, and Oron aircraft to detect, report, and ultimately help remove airborne threats.

Eitams are Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) surveillance planes outfitted with more than $100 million worth of radar and command-and-control systems.

Shavits are intelligence-gathering planes with high altitudes, long flight ranges, and advanced system capabilities. They can detect the operation of electronic systems hundreds of kilometers away and in remote areas.

Orons are high-performance, low-maintenance aircraft equipped with advanced radar and intelligence systems that create real-time, comprehensive intelligence images. This was the type of aircraft N flew on Saturday night.

"We worked to recognize the threats and let the [Operations Division] and the fighter pilots know what the biggest threats were," N explained. "The controllers in the back speak with the fighter pilots.

'It was like a computer game'

"We were in a very strategic location in the middle of the sky. We were the first to recognize and see what was coming. It was like a computer game.

"I told them, 'This target is on its way. We need to down this,'" he continued. "You suddenly realize, 'My god, what am I doing? I cannot mess this up.' Luckily, our team of controllers are such professionals. We passed messages on to them. It was excellent cooperation."

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