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The Israeli Air Force — An Introduction
(1982 to the Present)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. Source: IDF |
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