166 Squadron (Israel)

Squadron of the Israeli Air Force December 2023 166 Squadron File:IAF Squadron 166 New Logo.png 166 Squadron logo 2003 - Today Israel Israeli Air Force Palmachim Airbase 1st Zik Squadron Hermes 900 thumb|Hermes 900 The 166 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Fire Birds Squadron, is an Elbit Hermes 900 squadron based at Palmachim Airbase.166 Squadron http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/hermes_450/Hermes_450.html 20 May 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20110606180717/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/hermes_450/Hermes_450.html 6 June 2011 live dmy History Squadron 166 was established in February 1999, as a classified project whose purpose was to operate in emergency situations only.IAF https://www.iaf.org.il/9073-50936-he/IAF.aspx www.iaf.org.il thumb|Hermes 450 Aircraft of the Squadron A few years later, it was realized in the Air Force that the efficiency and advanced features of the UAV can be of great benefit in the ongoing security and combat routine. In 2003, the project was founded as Squadron 166 and since then the squadron has taken part in any operational activity or war when its mission is to collect Signal intelligence, visual intelligence and aerial photographs. From the beginning of its activity, the squadron operated the Hermes 450 ("Zik") aircraft and was the first squadron to operate it in the Air Force, therefore the squadron received the nickname "the first Zik squadron".https://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/hermes_450/Hermes_450.html Israeli Weapons.com Hermes 450 4 July 2024 4 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240204053905/http://www.israeli-weapons.com/weapons/aircraft/uav/hermes_450/Hermes_450.html dead It then switched to Hermes 900 Aircraft. References Category:Israeli Air Force squadrons