IDF pilot: "We attack in Southern Lebanon and fly to Gaza"

“We take off from the base to strike in Southern Lebanon, and immediately receive an order to attack terrorists in Gaza. It happens that both missions are carried out without an intermediate landing,” Captain Sh., a pilot, told a Ynet correspondent on Thursday, May 2 101st squadron of the IDF Air Force. “Only yesterday we received a new order while approaching targets in the north. We completed our first mission and flew to the south, where air support was urgently needed.”

Captain Sh. explained that since the beginning of the war he had carried out combat and reconnaissance missions, and was also involved in the development of operational plans and conducted ground control over their implementation.

– What is the difference between the northern front and the southern one – from the pilot’s point of view?

– The operational situation is more complex both in the north and in the south. As a rule, strikes against Hezbollah must be carried out urgently. But in some cases, such attacks are very carefully planned, taking into account the characteristics of the terrain and the situation. In the south, targets are determined by reconnaissance. As a rule, objects are chosen for attack that do not have a large number of civilians near them. Our main goal in Gaza is to support IDF ground forces without endangering the fighters. Sometimes you have to hit targets that the troops have come close to. It is very important to prevent incidents of “friendly fire”.

– Perhaps the experience gained in Gaza will be used for the war in the north…

– We have been fighting in Gaza for six months. This is no longer experience, not training in combat conditions, but a real war, which has much in common with a future war in the north – if it begins. Every day we prepare for new tasks and work through plans. This happens now, during the war, and it happened before. If a decision is made to launch military operations on the northern borders, we are ready.

– How are you preparing for war with Hezbollah?

– I repeat – we are ready for war. We have a lot of trump cards hidden, which we will show if the need arises. We are doing and will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of the Israelis, bring home the evacuated residents of the north, and protect the country. This is why we serve in the IDF.

►IDF pilot breaks combat mission record

56-year-old S. is considered one of the most experienced pilots in the Israeli Air Force. Over three decades of service, he spent many thousands of hours in the air, performing operational missions. 12 years ago S. retired from the position of deputy squadron commander.

The war found S. in Thailand, where he was vacationing with his wife and two children. Without hesitation, I took a ticket on the first flight to Israel and returned to duty.

“Actually, at my age they are no longer allowed into the sky,” said Lieutenant Colonel S. “The limit for combat pilots is 51 years old. But that was until October 7, and now a lot has changed.”