117 Squadron (Israel)
117 Squadron | |
---|---|
![]() First Jet Squadron | |
Active | 1953-2020; 2021- |
Disbanded | September 2020 - as active Air Defense squadron; reestablished July 2021 as training squadron |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | F-35I training (2021-); Air Defense (1953-2020) |
Garrison/HQ | Nevatim Airbase (2021-); Ramat David Airbase (1953-2020) |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | F-35I (current); F-16C (previous); Gloster Meteor (first) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/27/Meitar_Collection_%28997009327258905171.jpg/300px-Meitar_Collection_%28997009327258905171.jpg)
The 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), also known as the First Jet Squadron, is initially a training squadron for F-35I Adir fighter pilots, based at Nevatim Airbase.[1]
History
[edit]Before it closed in September 2020 after 67 years of service,[1] the 117th was an F-16C fighter squadron based at Ramat David Airbase.[2] The squadron operated Israel's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, flying the T7 (two-seat trainer), F8 (fighter) and FR9 (reconnaissance) variants.[3]
In July 2021, Airforce Technology reported that the Israeli Air Force had re-established the 117th First Jet Squadron as a training squadron in the IAF's F-35I Adir division, based at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. It will become an operational squadron as soon as there are enough jets arrived from the US.[1]
References
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ a b c "Israeli Air Force re-establishes 117th Squadron as F-35I training squadron". www.airforce-technology.com. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
- ^ "117 Squadron - The First Jet". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
- ^ "Gloster Meteor". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 7 October 2021.