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IAF's second F-35i squadron becomes operational - The Jerusalem Post
The 116th Lions of the South squadron is based out of Nevatim in southern Israel.
By ANNA AHRONHEIM AUGUST 9, 2020 19:36
The Israel Air Force’s second F-35i Adir squadron was officially declared operational on Sunday, six months after it was opened.
Based out of Nevatim in southern Israel, the 116th Lions of the South squadron will now take part in IAF operational activity.
Over the course of the last week, the squadron underwent an operational fitness inspection during which its members, aircrew and ground crew alike, were tested on various scenarios that could occur in the squadron’s operational area.
According to the Air Force, the operational fitness inspection simulated 72 hours of intensive combat. Amid current regional tensions, one scenario that was simulated was an outbreak of war on all of Israel’s fronts.
“We dealt with situations of missile attacks and were tested on our ability to handle them properly”, Maj. E, the squadron’s technical officer was quoted as saying. “When missiles hit the squadron, a fire broke out and there were injuries – they examined our decision-making process, management during combat, and ability to maintain functional continuity. That is just one example out of many.”
Israel was the first to use the F-35 in a combat arena in 2018, just months after it declared operational capability and, according to foreign reports, continues to use the jet for a range of missions.
Built by Lockheed Martin, the jets have an extremely low radar signature allowing the jet to operate undetected deep inside enemy territory as well as evade advanced missile defense systems.
The F-35 is considered one of the world’s most advanced fighter jets and with close air-support capabilities and a massive array of sensors, pilots of the stealth jet have unparalleled access to information while in the air.
By November the IAF will have 27 F-35i Adir aircraft out of a total of 50 planes set to land in the coming years to complete two full squadrons by 2024.
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