Dozens of pilot cadets graduated at a ceremony at Hatzerim Air Force base in Southern Israel. As the new pilots marched in perfect formation, one detail stood out: the long skirt of the first haredi female pilot in the IAF.
The graduation was followed by an aerial display of the Israeli Air Force, highlighted by a performance by Fouga CM-170 Magisters of the IAF aerobatic team as well as the new Lockheed-Martin F-16i Fighting Falcon “Sufa” fighter jet flying alongside the Supermarine Spitfire that flew in the Independence War of 1948.
Among the other aircraft featured in the display was an attack by the Boeing AH-64 Apache “Saraph” and Bell AH-1 Huey Cobra “Tzefa” helicopters, a rescue mission preformed by the Sikorsky CH-53 “Petrel” helicopter, a landing and rocket-assist takeoff by the Lockheed-Martin C-130 Hercules “Karnaf” transport plane, a flyby by the Israeli Aerospace Industries “Shoval” UAV drone, a battle simulation by the Boeing F-15i “Ra’am” fighter jet, and a re-feuling of the F-15i by the Boeing 707 “Re’em”.
