The induction ceremony for the first refueling and transport aircraft of its kind in the Air Force took place today (Wednesday) under the leadership of the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, and the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Omer Tishler.
The aircraft, a Boeing KC-46 ‘Gideon’ model, landed today (Wednesday) at Nevatim Base (28). The aircraft was inducted into the new refueling squadron that opened last week.
This aircraft is the first of six refueling aircraft purchased by the Ministry of Defense’s procurement delegation in the United States and joins a broad rearmament process that the Ministry of Defense is managing for the IDF.
These refueling aircraft enable the extension of the operational range and loiter time of fighter jets in the air, alongside innovative transport capabilities and multi-mission functionality. The induction of the new aircraft represents a significant strengthening of the Air Force’s superiority in the multi-arena war and in operations at distant circles.
“The edifice of evil of the Ayatollah regime has been significantly cracked, and its future and stability are shrouded in fog,” said the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi. “Its leaders are being pursued, most of its military capabilities have been destroyed, the nuclear program has been set back years; its economy is collapsing, and its citizens have not yet grasped the magnitude of the disaster to which their extremist leaders have led them.”
“A few days ago, we marked the holiday of Shavuot, the holiday of the first fruits – the first grain fruits brought to the Temple. The ‘Gideon’ aircraft presented here before us is an operational first fruit of our future Air Force – the result of vision, hard work, and endless dedication of many partners along the way. This is also your first fruit – Tishler, the new Commander of the Air Force – on the way to a multi-year plan full of new platforms.”
“From the runways of Nevatim Base,” said the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Omer Tishler, “two months ago, refueling aircraft took off and carried the entire Air Force to Iran. Airpower, a strategic capability that refuels fighter jets and expands the operational ranges and lethality of the Air Force in every circle, to every range, to every arena. The regime in Iran, which set the destruction of Israel as its goal, encountered a firepower it did not know, did not anticipate, and could not stop.”
“Even at this hour, the Air Force is in the air – aircraft and personnel of the Force are operating from the air and the ground, powerfully attacking Hezbollah, integrated with the ground forces, protecting the residents of the North, operating and repeatedly neutralizing Hamas senior officials in Gaza, and are prepared for any development, in any arena.”
“The ‘Gideon’ that has just landed,” added the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Omer Tishler, “and now also carries the insignia of the Air Force of the State of Israel, adds a significant element of power to the strategic capabilities of the Force – more fuel, more payload, further, enabling more.”
“The landing of the ‘Gideon’,” said the Commander of Nevatim Base (28), Brigadier General D’, “a 5th generation strategic platform, during an intense and prolonged war, when IDF soldiers are deployed in seven arenas and fighting for the protection of Israeli citizens, is a very historic, challenging, and moving moment. Inducting a platform during wartime is accompanied by even more challenges, but the cooperation between all bodies – industries, IDF units, the Ministry of Defense, and the Air Force – overcomes everything.”
Full speech of the Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi
Full speech of the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Omer Tishler
