119 Squadron (Israel)

Israeli military unit 119 Squadron טייסת העטלף 119th sq. NEW.jpg Bat Squadron 8 September 1956 – present Israel 23px Israel 23px Air Defence Ramon Airbase F-16I Sufa 119 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Bat Squadron, is a Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufa fighter squadron based at Ramon Airbase.119 Squadron - The Bat http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/119squadron.htm Globalsecurity.org 2008-12-13 https://web.archive.org/web/20090118074718/http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/119squadron.htm 18 January 2009 live History Meteor, Vautour and Mirage (1956–1970) 119 Squadron was first formed on 8 September 1956 at Ramat David Airbase, under the command of Yoash Tzidon. The squadron was equipped with the Gloster Meteor NF.13 (Night Fighter, two-seater), seeing its first two used jets from the Royal Air Force delivered in October 1956. The squadron participated in the Suez Crisis, but its operations were limited due to lack of crew and aircraft. However, 119 Squadron did shoot down an Egyptian Air Force Ilyushin Il-14 on 28 October 1956, the day before the conflict started.https://asn.flightsafety.org/asndb/334604 Accident Ilyushin Il-14 1101, Sunday 28 October 1956 Aviation Safety Network 30 September 2024http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-mideast/israel/af/units/119sqn.htm 119 Squadron Aeroflight 26 September 1999 30 September 2024 To bring the squadron closer to its operational area in Egypt, it was relocated to Tel Nof Airbase at the end of 1957. In May 1958, 119 Squadron began to receive the French-built Sud Aviation Vautour IIN. The squadron continued to operate both the Meteor NF.13 and Vautour IIN until 1963, when the Meteor NF.13 was retired from Israeli service and the Vautours were transferred to 110 Squadron at Ramat David Airbase. This was done ahead of 119 Squadron's conversion to the Dassault Mirage IIICJ in March 1964. 119 Squadron fought in the Six-Day War, under the command of Ran Ronen-Pekker,Danny Grossman https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Saying-good-bye-to-Ran-Pekker-the-legendary-IAF-combat-pilot-474450 Saying good-bye to Ran Pekker, the legendary IAF combat pilot The Jerusalem Post 5 December 2016 30 September 2024 where it emerged as the top scoring unit in the Israeli Air Force, with 19 air combat kills to two losses. Giora Romm became Israel's first ace during the conflict while serving the 119 Squadron.https://www.timesofisrael.com/giora-romm-the-israeli-air-forces-first-ace-dies-at-78/ Giora Romm, Israeli Air Force's first 'ace,' dies at 78 Times of Israel 12 August 2023 30 September 2024Seth J. Frantzman https://www.jpost.com/magazine/books/through-their-sights-355425 Through their sights The Jerusalem Post 5 June 2014 30 September 2024 The squadron was also continually involved in the subsequent War of Attrition. Kurnass (1970–2004) thumb|right|119 Squadron RF-4E Orev 458, 1974 In 1970, 119 Squadron relocated to Ramat David Airbase and began to convert to the McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass. It also received a pair of RF-4E Orevs in 1971. The squadron fought in the Yom Kippur War in October 1973. During the war, 119 Squadron participated in the Syrian General Staff Headquarters Raid on 9 October.Tajeset 119 "Ha'Atalef" http://en.valka.cz/viewtopic.php/t/52544 Valka 22 July 2008 After the war, the squadron relocated back to Tel Nof Airbase. 119 Squadron fought in the 1982 Lebanon War. In 1989, the squadron began to receive the upgraded F-4E Kurnass 2000, completing conversion by 1992. 119 Squadron continued to operate the Kurnass 2000 and Orev until their retirement in 2004.https://www.f-16.net/units_article309.html Tayeset 119 (IDFAF) f-16.net 30 September 2024 Sufa (2004–present) thumb|F-16I 453 of 119 Squadron, 2020 In 2004, 119 Squadron relocated to Ramon Airbase, swapping places with 157 Squadron, which moved to Ramat David Airbase. On 28 December 2004, the squadron received its first Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufas. In March 2018, the IAF confirmed that 119 Squadron, together with Squadrons 69 and 253, took part in Operation Orchard.https://www.timesofisrael.com/ending-a-decade-of-silence-israel-reveals-it-blew-up-assads-nuclear-reactor/ Ending a decade of silence, Israel confirms it blew up Assad's nuclear reactor 2018-03-21 en-US During a briefing prior to the mission, the commander of 119 Squadron wrote in his notes that the operation “will change the face of the Middle East.” Aircraft operated Aircraft operated include: 22em Gloster Meteor NF.13 (1956–1963) Sud Aviation Vautour IIN (1958–1963) Dassault Mirage IIICJ/CJ(R)/BJ (1963–1970) McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass (1970–1992) McDonnell Douglas RF-4E Orev (1971–2004) McDonnell Douglas F-4E Kurnass 2000 (1989–2004) Lockheed Martin F-16I Sufa (2004–present) See also Operation Tarnegol 1973 Syrian General Staff Headquarters Raid Shimshon Rozen Notes References Norton Bill Air War on the Edge – A History of the Israel Air Force and its Aircraft since 1947 Midland Publishing 2004 1-85780-088-5 External links June 2017 Category:Israeli Air Force squadrons