|
Page 4 of 5  With still some time left until the start of the fly-past the seafront was already really crowded and the ship parade was taking place. Several battleships and a submarine led a parade of sailboats along the coastline. Above one of the frigates an SA-565MA Atalef circled around and was the first one of the aircraft that should be up in the air a bit later on.
At first unrealized by many, thus typical for its usual kind of missions, a Heron UAV approached the beach and acted as an advance guard for the formation fly-bys. Then the first helicopters arrived in 3-ships of the following types: AH-1 Tzefa, UH-60 Yanshuf, AH-64A Saraf & AH-64D Seraphim and CH-53 Yas'ur. The propeller aircraft arrived as a formation of 3 Beechcraft B200 Tzufit and two special ELINT RC-12K together with a B200CT and a Beech A36 Bonanza Chofit. A Gulfstream G550 and a Boeing B707 Re'em performed solo fly-bys and tanker demonstration included a KC-130 Karnaf together with 2 CH-53 and a B707 accompanied by 3 F-16D Barak. All jets appeared in 5-ship formations, led by F-16I Sufa and F-16C Barak. F-15I Ra'am followed after this and furthermore TA-4 Ayit were up in the air, F-16A Netz, F-16B Barak and F-15C Baz. Ship ParadeUH-60 Helicopter DisplayFormation Fly-BysBut the highlight for most of the visitors was for sure the Tzukit Display Team above the beach of Tel Aviv and of course the solo display of the F-15I, turning and burning around and releasing many flares in the hazy sky.
Parachutists jumping out of an C-130 were the final act and this great day of flying was concluded by a final fly-by of the Tzukit team. F-15I Ra'am Solo DisplayTzukit Display TeamWith this Fly-Past the Israeli Air Force clearly demonstrated its strength and importance for the country, while simultaneously celebrating itself and referring to the many wars that might have ended in a different way without their intervention.
The rest of the day and the holiday was then spent along the beach before returning to Germany and setting off for another trip. I have to thank "Israel Aviation Tours" for the organization of this trip and the Israel Air Force Public Affairs for their gratitude of allowing access to the airbases.
|
