View source for Tel Nof Airbase

{{Short description|Main base of the Israeli Air Force}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = Tel Nof Israeli Air Force Base<br />Air Force Base 8
| ensign = Tel Nof tag.svg
| ensign_size = 150px
| native_name = {{Noitalics|{{lang|he|בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף}}}}
| partof = <!-- for elements within a larger site -->
| location = [[Rehovot]], [[Central District (Israel)|Central District]]
| country = Israel
| image = Tel Nof Airbase Map.png
| caption = 
| image2 = <!--secondary image, major command emblems for airfields -->
| alt2 = 
| caption2 = 
| type = Airbase
| coordinates = {{Coord|31|50|22.10|N|34|49|18.64|E|region:IL_type:airport}}
| pushpin_map = Israel center ta#Israel
| pushpin_map_caption = Shown within Israel
| pushpin_label = Tel Nof Airbase
| pushpin_label_position = left
| ownership = [[Israel Defense Forces]]
| operator = [[Israeli Air Force]]
| controlledby = 
| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc -->
| site_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| site_other = <!-- for other sorts of facilities – radar types etc -->  
| site_area = <!-- area of site m2, km2 square mile etc -->
| code = <!--facility/installation code -->
| built = 1941 RAF / 1948 IAF
| used = 1941 - present
| builder = 
| fate = 
| condition = 
| battles = 
| events = 
| current_commander = 
| past_commanders = <!-- past notable commander(s) -->
| occupants = <!-- squadrons only -->
| designations = 
| website = 
| footnotes = <!-- catchall in case it's needed to preserve something in infobox -->
<!-- begin airfield information  -->
| IATA = 
| ICAO = LLEK
| elevation = {{Convert|59|m|0}}
| r1-number = 15R/33L
| r1-length =  {{Convert|2388|m|0}} 
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r2-number = 15L/33R
| r2-length =  {{Convert|2387|m|0}} 
| r2-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r3-number = 18/36
| r3-length =  {{Convert|2750|m|0}} 
| r3-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| r4-number = 09/27
| r4-length =  {{Convert|1830|m|0}} 
| r4-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]]
| h1-number = 
| h1-length = <!-- {{Convert| |m|0}} -->
| h1-surface = 
| airfield_other_label = <!-- for renaming "Other facilities" in infobox -->
| airfield_other = <!-- for other sorts of airfield facilities -->
<!--  end airfield information   -->
}}
[[File:PikiWiki Israel 13034 Air Force Memorial in Pilots Mountain.jpg|thumb|305px|[[Israeli Air Force]] Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain", IAF's main memorial for its fallen pilots and airmen, created in the 1950s, 25 kilometers east of Tel Nof ({{coord|31.774559|35.090043|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Air Force Memorial on "Pilots' Mountain"}})]]

'''Tel Nof Airbase''' ({{langx|he|בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר תֵּל נוֹף}}, English: Lookout hill) {{Airport codes||LLEK}}, also known as '''Air Force Base 8''', is the oldest and main base of the [[Israeli Air Force]] (IAF) located 5&nbsp;km south of [[Rehovot]], [[Israel]]. Tel Nof houses two strike fighter, two transport helicopter and a [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] squadron. Also located on the base are the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' and several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] (IDF), among others [[Unit 669]] (heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]], CSAR) and the [[Paratroopers Brigade]] training center and its headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117005209/http://www.iaf.org.il/2570-30205-en/IAF.aspx|title=Tel Nof / RAF Aqir|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-11-12}}</ref> See also: [[#Units|Units]].

== History (RAF) ==
=== British Mandate ===
Established in the spring of 1941 as '''RAF Aqir''' during the [[Mandate for Palestine |Mandate for Palestine]], it served as the main base for the [[Royal Air Force]] (RAF) in [[Mandate for Palestine |Mandate for Palestine]]. It was named after the Arab village [[Aqir]] north of it that perished in the [[1948 Arab–Israeli War]] and was located in the area of today's [[Kiryat Ekron]].

=== Operational units from 1941 to 1948 ===
{{columns-list|colwidth=40em|
*[[No. 6 Squadron RAF|No. 6 Squadron]] between 17 and 24 February 1941 with the [[Westland Lysander]]{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=25}}
*[[No. 10 Squadron RAF|No. 10 Squadron]] detachment (1942) [[Handley Page Halifax]]
*[[No. 11 Squadron RAF|No. 11 Squadron]] (1941) [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 32 Squadron RAF|No. 32 Squadron]] (1946) [[Supermarine Spitfire]] IX
*[[No. 37 Squadron RAF|No. 37 Squadron]] (1945) [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated Liberator VI]]
*[[No. 45 Squadron RAF|No. 45 Squadron]] (1941) [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 55 Squadron RAF|No. 55 Squadron]] (1941) [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 70 Squadron RAF|No. 70 Squadron]] (1945) [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated Liberator VI]]
*[[No. 80 Squadron RAF|No. 80 Squadron]] (1941) [[Hawker Hurricane]] I
*[[No. 84 Squadron RAF|No. 84 Squadron]] (1941) [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 113 Squadron RAF|No. 113 Squadron]] (1946–1947) [[Handley Page Halifax]]
*[[No. 159 Squadron RAF|No. 159 Squadron]] (1942) [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated Liberator II]]
*[[No. 160 Squadron RAF|No. 160 Squadron]] (1942) [[Consolidated B-24 Liberator|Consolidated Liberator II]]
*[[No. 162 Squadron RAF|No. 162 Squadron]] (1942) [[Vickers Wellington]] later [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 208 Squadron RAF|No. 208 Squadron]] (1941) [[Hawker Audax]] and (1946) [[Supermarine Spitfire]] VIII
*[[No. 211 Squadron RAF|No. 211 Squadron]] (1941) [[Bristol Blenheim]] IV
*[[No. 215 Squadron RAF|No. 215 Squadron]] (1947) [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota I]]
*[[No. 221 Squadron RAF|No. 221 Squadron]] detachment (1945) [[Vickers Wellington]] XII
*[[No. 227 Squadron RAF|No. 227 Squadron]] (1942) [[Handley Page Halifax]]
*[[No. 250 Squadron RAF|No. 250 Squadron]] (1941) [[Curtiss P-40 Warhawk|Curtiss Tomahawk IIB]]
*[[No. 294 Squadron RAF|No. 294 Squadron]] detachment (1944) [[Vickers Wellington]] IC
*[[335th Squadron (HAF)|No. 335 (Greek) Squadron]] (1941) [[Hawker Hurricane]] I
*[[No. 450 Squadron RAAF]] (1941) [[Hawker Hurricane]] I
*[[No. 620 Squadron RAF|No. 620 Squadron]] (1946) [[Douglas C-47 Skytrain|Douglas Dakota]] and [[Handley Page Halifax]]
*[[No. 621 Squadron RAF|No. 621 Squadron]] (1946) [[Avro Lancaster]] ASR.III
*[[No. 680 Squadron RAF|No. 680 Squadron]] detachment (1945) [[Fairchild Argus]]
*[[No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF|No. 76 Operational Training Unit]] [[Vickers Wellington]] - Formed at RAF Aqir on 1 October 1943, equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk.IIIs and Xs to train night bomber crews for squadrons in the Middle East, disbanding on 30 July 1945.<ref>IWM CM 5756</ref> 76 OTU, despite operating Wellingtons, were also working up crews for B-24 Liberators.  After completion of their course those crews were passed on to Liberator conversion units.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?7622-76-Otu-21-9-1944|title=76 Otu - 21-9-1944}}</ref>{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=205}}
}}

=== Gallery ===
<gallery widths="195" heights="155">
Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943 CM2212.jpg|A Greek pilot in front of a [[Hawker Hurricane]] at '''RAF&nbsp;Aqir''', 1941-1943
Vickers Wellington - Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. CM5756.jpg|A [[Vickers Wellington|Vickers Wellington Mark&nbsp;X]] of [[No. 76 Operational Training Unit RAF|76&nbsp;OTU]] at '''RAF&nbsp;Aqir''', 1944-1945
Air gunner training RAF Aqir WWII IWM CM 5754.jpg|Air gunner training at '''RAF&nbsp;Aqir''', 1944-1945
Handley Page Halifax - British Forces in the Middle East, 1945-1947 E32215.jpg|[[Handley Page Halifax]], [[No. 113 Squadron RAF|113 Squad&shy;ron]] from '''RAF&nbsp;Aqir''', 1946-1947
</gallery>

== History (IAF) ==
=== Names of the base ===
After the British withdrawal from '''RAF Aqir''' in May 1948, the base was taken over by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] and renamed '''Ekron Airbase''' – after the [[Old Testament|biblical]] city of [[Ekron]] and today's [[Kiryat Ekron]] 1&nbsp;km north of it – and, from 1950, '''Tel Nof Airbase''' (English: Lookout hill). The name "Tel Nof" dates back to the 1930s, when the area was known by this name as an urban development area, similar to the then-thriving "[[Tel Aviv]]" (English: Spring hill).

=== First Israeli fighter aircraft ===
During the [[1948 Arab war|Arab War]] on 29 May 1948, the first four fighter aircraft [[Avia S-199]] of the first [[101 Squadron (Israel)|squadron 101]] "First Fighter" of the new [[Israeli Air Force|Israeli Air Force (IAF)]] took off from here for their first mission, an attack on the [[Jisr Isdud|Ad Halom Bridge]] in the eastern outskirts of [[Ashdod]], which was in the hands of Egyptian troops, who advanced on [[Tel Aviv]]. Important was less the modest military success of this operation – one plane was shot down – than the shock to the Egyptian soldiers when they saw with their own eyes that Israel now had an Air Force (see photo of plaque in gallery below). The advance was delayed, and this gave the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israeli army (IDF)]] enough time to bring in troops and stop it.

On 17 August 1948, '''Ekron Airbase''' (later '''Tel Nof Airbase''') was officially and ceremoniously opened. [[Hatzor Airbase]] and [[Ramat David Airbase]] taken over from the British soon followed. After the [[Avia S-199]] – imported from [[Czechoslovakia]] and a replica of the [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] made out of parts left over from German war production – additional fighter aircraft were acquired from the stocks of the former Allies, such as the British [[Supermarine Spitfire]] and the [[North American P-51 Mustang]]. The [[Israeli Air Force Flight Academy|IAF Flight Academy]], which was initially based at Camp Sirkin east of [[Petah Tikva]], was established at Tel Nof in 1955 until it was relocated to the then newly built [[Hatzerim Airbase]] in 1966, where it still is today.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof|publisher=Global Security|access-date=2009-02-06}}</ref>

<gallery widths="195">
Avia-S-199-IAF-101Sqn-Tel-Nof-Israel-1948-01.jpg|Czech [[Avia S-199]] of Israeli [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] at '''Ekron&nbsp;Airbase''' in 1948
107392 battle "ad halom" in the war of independ PikiWiki Israel.jpg|Plaque on the "Battle of Ad Halom" at the [[Ad Halom]] park east of [[Ashdod]]
Hatzerim 290110 Spitfire 02.jpg|A [[Supermarine Spitfire|Spitfire Mk.IXe]] of [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]], from the early days of the [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]]
Hatzerim Mustang 29012010 02.jpg|A [[North American P-51 Mustang|P-51D Mustang]] of [[101 Squadron (Israel)|101 Squadron]] of the [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]], from its early days too
</gallery>

=== First jets at Tel Nof in 119 Squadron "Bat" ===
The [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" was established in 1956, initially at [[Ramat David Airbase]] and was intended to fly night missions with jets (hence the name "Bat"). It received used [[Gloster Meteor|Gloster Meteor NF.13]] (two-seat night fighters) from the [[Royal Air Force]], with which it shortly thereafter took part in the combat operations of the [[Suez Crisis]]. To bring the squadron closer to its primary operational area in [[Egypt]], it was relocated to Tel Nof at the end of 1957 and the following year received several new [[Sud Aviation Vautour|SO-4050 Vautours]] from the French manufacturer [[Sud Aviation|Sud-Ouest]]. In 1963, the 119 Squadron "Bat" was temporarily decommissioned and its jets transferred to squadrons at Ramat David.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528214429/https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Bat Squadron|website=IAF Website|date=|access-date=2025-04-08}}</ref>

<gallery widths="195">
Meteor IAF 1954.jpg|Single-seat [[Gloster Meteor|Gloster Meteor F.8]] in flight, from [[Ramat David Airbase|Ramat David]] in 1954
Gloster Meteor NF13 Hatzerim 260404.JPG|Two-seat [[Gloster Meteor|Gloster Meteor NF.13]] at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase|Hatzerim]] in 2004
Vautour Kfar Giladi 230515.jpg|A preserved [[Sud Aviation Vautour|SO-4050 Vautour]] near [[Kfar Giladi]] in northern Israel in 2015
119th sq. NEW.jpg|Current symbol of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat", today based on [[Ramon Airbase|Ramon]]
</gallery>

In 1964, the 119 Squadron was reopened at Tel Nof with new French [[Dassault Mirage III|Dassault Mirage IIICJ]] ''Shahak'' fighter jets, which later flew over 300 missions in the [[Six-Day War]], shooting down 23 enemy aircraft. In 1970, the Mirage jets were transferred to other squadrons and US-made [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kurnass'' strike fighter jets were acquired, which soon took part in the [[Yom Kippur War]].

=== First cargo aircraft ===
At the beginning of the [[Palestine War]] in late 1947, ten [[Curtiss C-46 Commando]] cargo aircraft were purchased from the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] inventory and eventually stationed at Ekron Airbase. They formed the backbone of the transport fleet of the newly founded [[Israeli Air Force]] and were consolidated in December 1948 with the formation of the [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Spearhead". During the war, these aircraft transported equipment and supplies to the troops and settlers in the [[Negev|Negev Desert]] in southern Israel and also carried out occasional bombing raids. Important landing sites for supply flights were the Ruhama Airfield east of [[Sderot]] (see photo in gallery below) and the Malhata Airfield east of [[Beersheba]], today's [[Nevatim Airbase]].<ref name="spear">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212242/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33514-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Edge Of The Spear Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-12-22}}</ref>

In March 1949, shortly before the end of the war, the cargo aircraft also took part in [[Operation Uvda]], the securing of the southern Negev up to the [[Red Sea]], as envisaged by the [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine|UN partition plan of 1947]]. For this purpose, the temporary Abraham Airfield (Sde Avraham) was built far to the south, near today's [[Ovda Airbase]]. After the Palestine War, the aircraft were then used by [[El Al|El Al Israel Airlines]] (see photo in gallery below) or transferred to the [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants". The [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Spearhead" was then shut down and reopened in June 1982 with [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15C/D]] jets on Tel Nof again.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-mideast/israel/af/units/106sqn.htm|title=106 Squadron – Unit History|website=aeroflight.co.uk|date=1999-09-12|access-date=2024-12-22}}</ref>

<gallery widths="195">
Ruhama airfield ii.jpg|An Israeli [[Curtiss C-46|C-46 Commando]] cargo plane at Ruhama Airfield in August 1948 during the [[Palestine War]]
Sde Avraham.jpg|[[Piper PA-11 Cub Special|Piper PA-11 ''Cub Special'']] planes on temporary Abraham Airfield (Sde Avraham) during [[Operation Uvda]]
4X-ALE Marvin Goldman Collection.jpg|After the [[Palestine War]] several [[Curtiss C-46|C-46 planes]] were transferred to [[El Al|El Al Israel Airlines]], photo around 1950
</gallery>

With the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers",<ref name="carriers" /> founded in 1966, and the [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors",<ref name="raptors" /> established in 1970 – both at Tel Nof – supplies and troop and casualty transports were now also carried out by heavy transport helicopters. The 114 Squadron initially flew the French [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa '' and later, together with the 118 Squadron, the US [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur''. See also: [[#Yom Kippur War|Yom Kippur War]] and [[#Units|Units]].

=== Paratroopers Brigade ===
During the [[1948 Palestine War]] there was a provisional paratroopers unit in Israel, which was expanded from the beginning of the 1950s into a regular [[35th Paratroopers Brigade (Israel)|Paratroopers Brigade]], whose headquarters and training center are still located at Tel Nof to this day. Since then, this brigade has participated in many important operations in the wars over Israel, such as the [[Suez Crisis]] in the fall of 1956, when Israeli paratroopers occupied the strategically important [[Mitla Pass]] on the [[Sinai Peninsula]]. During the [[Six-Day War]], they conquested the [[Old City of Jerusalem]] and were particularly remembered for capturing the [[Temple Mount]] with the [[Western Wall]] on 7 June 1967, in an iconic photograph by [[David Rubinger]] (see gallery below).

<gallery widths="195" heights="195">
Tel Nof IAF base (997008137056205171).jpg|Soldiers of the Israel [[Paratroopers Brigade]] at '''Tel&nbsp;Nof&nbsp;Airbase''' in 1955
An Israeli unit of parachutists lining up in front of nord transport planes destined to go into actlion in Sinai, last minute change orders were deirected to Jerusalem. June 1967. D327-061.jpg|Paratroopers climb aboard en route to Jerusalem on 7 June 1967 at Tel Nof
צנחנים בכותל המערבי.jpg|Israeli paratroopers reverently reach the [[Western Wall]] on 7 June 1967
IDF Paratroopers unit in an exercise (FL45727370).jpg|Israeli paratroopers are jumping from a [[Nord Noratlas]] in 1972
</gallery>

=== Paratroopers Main Memorial ===
One and a half kilometers west of Tel Nof lies the Paratroopers Main Memorial near National Road&nbsp;[[File:ISR-HW-40.svg|20px]], which commemorates those who fell in these units ({{coord|31.842728|34.788440|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Paratroopers Main Memorial}}).

<gallery widths="195">
116357 the paratroopers monument PikiWiki Israel.jpg|Inauguration of the Paratroopers Memorial on [[Yom HaZikaron]] 1960
Dan Hadani collection (990044421700205171).jpg|[[Moshe Dayan]] lays a wreath at the Paratroopers Memorial in 1969
PikiWiki Israel 67392 tel nof parachutists monument.jpg|The Paratroopers Memorial in 2020 west of Tel&nbsp;Nof at National Road&nbsp;40
Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers in Training.jpg|Training jump of paratroopers shortly before sunset in May 2010
</gallery>

== Middle East wars ==
=== Palestine War ===
During the [[1948 Palestine War]] the airbase was handed over by the British and renamed Ekron Airbase by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]]. First fighter aircraft were stationed. See above under: [[#First Israeli fighter aircraft|First Israeli fighter aircraft]]

=== Suez Crisis ===
During the [[Suez Crisis]] in the fall of 1956, Tel Nof was one of three airbases of the [[Israeli Air Force|IAF]], along with [[Ramat David Airbase|Ramat David]] and [[Hatzor Airbase|Hatzor]]. From here, [[35th Paratroopers Brigade (Israel)|Israeli paratroopers]] took off to capture strategic targets on the [[Sinai Peninsula]]. See above under: [[#Paratroopers Brigade|Paratroopers Brigade]]

=== Six-Day War ===
As late as the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967, French fighter jets manufactured by [[Dassault Aviation]] played a leading role in the IAF, such as the [[Dassault Mystère IV|Mystère IV]], the [[Dassault Super Mystère|Super Mystère]] and the [[Dassault Mirage III|Mirage III]]. Many of these were also stationed at Tel Nof at that time. In the mid-1960s, Israel had commissioned Dassault to build an improved version of the Mirage III that was specifically tailored to the needs of the IAF, as they needed a ground attack aircraft in a desert environment. The first examples of this version, called the [[Dassault Mirage 5|Mirage 5]], were supposed to be delivered in 1967, but this never happened.

The French-built fighter jets – except the Mirage 5 – are now on display at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]]:
<gallery widths="195">
Hatzerim 270416 Mystere.jpg|A [[Dassault Mystère IV|Dassault Mystère IV A]] jet of [[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 Squadron]] "Defenders Of The South", based on Tel Nof in the 1960s
Super Mystere Hatzerim 2901101.jpg|[[Dassault Super Mystère|Dassault Super Mystère B2]] ''Sambad'' of [[105 Squadron (Israel)|105 Squadron]] "Scorpion", the only IAF squadron with that aircraft
Dassault Mirage IIICJ (468968546).jpg|A [[Dassault Mirage III|Dassault Mirage IIICJ]] ''Shahak'', was also flown by [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in the 1960s
Dassault Mirage 5F, France - Air Force AN1894124.jpg|[[French Air Force]] [[Dassault Mirage 5]], of which 50 copies were to be delivered to Israel from 1967
</gallery>

In response to the [[Six-Day War]], the delivery of 50 already produced and largely paid for [[Dassault Mirage 5]] jets to Israel was stopped by [[President of France|French President]] [[Charles de Gaulle]], as he no longer wanted to supply new offensive weapons to the former ally. After Israeli commando units blew up 14 Lebanese airliners at [[Beirut–Rafic Hariri International Airport|Beirut Airport]] on the evening of 28 December 1968 in [[1968 Israeli raid on Beirut Airport|Operation Gift]], using French transport helicopters [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] from Tel Nof and naval boats supplied by France, de Gaulle then imposed a total arms embargo on Israel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/nichts-schreiben-a-31bfbbdf-0002-0001-0000-000045845448|title=Naher Osten / de Gaulle: Nichts schreiben|website=Der Spiegel|date=1969-01-12|access-date=2024-08-15|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/stern-uebermalt-a-91b4878b-0002-0001-0000-000043144624|title=Frankreich: Stern übermalt|website=Der Spiegel|date=1971-11-21|access-date=2024-08-15|language=de}}</ref>

=== War of Attrition ===
When Israel no longer received offensive weapons from [[France]] after the [[Six-Day War]], it sought replacements from the [[United States]], as the [[War of Attrition]] with [[Egypt]], which began in mid-1968, required considerable resources. Over time, the US provided the IAF with over 250 heavy strike fighter jets of the new [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kurnass'' and RF-4E ''Orev'' (R for reconnaissance), which were also stationed in a squadron at Tel Nof. In addition, they delivered around 350 light strike fighter jets [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4H/N Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'', of which many were based at Tel Nof also. At the beginning of the War of Attrition, the French [[Dassault Mystère IV]] and [[Dassault Mirage III]] jets could still be used (also from Tel Nof), until their numbers gradually decreased over time due to a lack of spare parts or being shot down.

=== Yom Kippur War ===
[[File:F-4E GivatOlga 081014 01.jpg|thumb|300px|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kur&shy;nass'' of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at the [[Technoda - Hadera|Giv'at Olga Technoda]] in [[Hadera]]]]
Despite the French arms embargo Tel Nof Airbase had been steadily expanded over the years, and during the [[Yom Kippur War]] in October 1973, seven air squadrons operated at the base. While the [[Six-Day War]] 1967 was still characterized by French-made fighter aircraft, US ones now dominate.

The seven squadrons at Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War:
* [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" with [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] ''Kurnass'' heavy strike fighter jets<ref name="bat">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Bat Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613201105/https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-13}}</ref>
* [[115 Squadron (Israel)|115 Squadron]] "Flying Dragon" with [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk#Variants|A-4H/N Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' light strike fighter jets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33520-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Flying Dragon Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602033055/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33520-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-02}}</ref>
* [[116 Squadron (Israel)|116 Squadron]] "Defenders Of The South" with A-4H/N Skyhawk ''Ayit'' light strike fighter jets<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33536-he/IAF.aspx|title=Defenders Of The South Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602033722/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33536-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-02}}</ref>
* [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors" with [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' heavy transport helicopters<ref name="raptors">{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33510-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Night Raptors Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626120549/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33510-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2017-06-26}}</ref>
* [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" with [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa '' heavy transport helicopters<ref name="carriers">{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33538-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Night Carriers Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612081025/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33538-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-12}}</ref>
* [[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 Squadron]] "Rolling Sword" with [[Bell 206|Bell 205/206]] light general-purpose helicopters<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33516-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Rolling Sword Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626151808/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33516-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2017-06-26}}</ref>
* [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" with [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft<ref name="elephants">{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33521-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Elephants Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527220406/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33521-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-05-27}}</ref>

The US-made airplanes of that time are now on display at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]]:
<gallery widths="195">
A Skyhawk fighter taking off (FL61860702).jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|RF-4E Phantom II]] ''Orev'' of [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in 1974 just after the [[Yom Kippur War]]
I042107 211 (469010027).jpg|[[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk#Variants|A-4N & A-4H Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' (from left) of [[147 Squadron (Israel)|147 Squadron]] "Goring Ram", sta&shy;tioned in two squadrons at Tel&nbsp;Nof
Yom Kippur War. XXVII.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof during the [[Yom Kippur War]] 1973
4X-FLO Moti Shvimer.jpg|[[Bell 206|Bell 205/206]] and [[Bell 212]] (from left) general-purpose helicopters of [[124 Squadron (Israel)|124 Squadron]] "Rolling Sword"
</gallery>

The total of twelve (or sixteen) [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa'' transport helicopters that Israel had received from France before the embargo were stationed in the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" at Tel Nof from 1966 to 1991 and were retrofitted with more powerful US engines until they were finally all decommissioned.<ref name="carriers" /> The more than twenty French but German-built and delivered [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft of the [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" at Tel Nof were in service there from 1956 to 1978. Most of them were former machines of the [[German Air Force]] (Deutsche Luftwaffe) or were built under license in Germany and handed over or delivered to Israel from the early 1960s.<ref name="elephants" />

<gallery widths="195">
Meitar Collection (997009452057605171) 16-9.jpg|A French-made [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] ''Tzirʿa '' transport helicopter of [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" during the 1960s
Aerospatiale Sid-Aviation SA-321K Super-Frelon Helicopter (468949900).jpg|A [[Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon|Super Frelon]] transport helicopter, later with US-made engines, at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]]
026 מלחמת ששת הימים.jpg|A [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" (see nose) during the [[Six-Day War]] in June 1967
Hatzerim 310313 Nord.jpg|A French but German-built [[Nord Noratlas]] transport aircraft of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants"
</gallery>

== F-15 Fighter Jets ==
=== Arrival of the F-15 ===
[[File:Israeli attacks on Yemen, September 2024. XXV.jpg|thumb|400px|Three F-15C jets and an F-15D (l.t.r.) of [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" at Tel Nof, all of which can also attack ground targets, before retaliatory strikes on Yemen at the end of September 2024]]
From 1976, the then new [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15A/B Eagle]] ''Baz'' fighter jets were introduced with [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail", which made Israel the first country in the world outside the [[United States]] to possess this aircraft. Because the landing of the first three planes was delayed on that Friday, 10 December 1976, the reception ceremony was also delayed and only ended shortly before the beginning of [[Shabbat]]. As a result, some government ministers didn't have enough time to return home before the start of Shabbat. Its "desecration" led to a government crisis and ultimately to the collapse of the coalition of the first government of [[Yitzhak Rabin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/once-it-was-f-15s-on-shabbat-now-hametz-the-religious-issues-that-end-governments/|title=Once it was F-15s on Shabbat; now, hametz: The religious issues that end governments|website=The Times Of Israel|date=2022-04-11|access-date=2024-10-13}}</ref>

Not long after receiving the first F-15 aircraft, Israel began to upgrade and convert these jets, which were originally built for air combat only, for use against ground targets also. This was done with both the single-seat A and C variants, as well as the two-seat B and D trainer versions, where the flight instructor's seat was converted to that of the navigator (Israeli designation) or [[Weapon systems officer|WSO]] (see photo of converted F-15C/D jets to the right above). 

In June 1982, with the reopening of the [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Spearhead", a second squadron of improved F-15C/D ''Baz'' fighter jets was introduced at Tel Nof.<ref name="spear" /> Both F-15 squadrons still exist today, and from 2029 they will receive the latest variant F-15IA (Israel Advanced), which is based on the [[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II|F-15EX Eagle II]] of the [[United States Air Force|US Air Force]] (see photo of an F-15EX in gallery below).<ref name="f-15ia">{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/israel-officially-cleared-to-buy-50-new-f-15ias-upgrade-25-f-15is|title=Israel Officially Cleared To Buy 50 New F-15IAs, Upgrade 25 F-15Is|website=The War Zone|date=2024-08-14|access-date=2024-08-14}}</ref>

=== Nuclear weapons ===
It is assumed (e.g. by the [[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]]) that Israel is in possession of [[Nuclear weapons and Israel|nuclear weapons]] since the late 1960s and that they are stored at some point at Tel Nof in a specially secured area (presumably here: {{coord|31.847892|34.814606|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Tel Nof Airbase?}}) near a weapons load station and at the neighboring [[Sdot Micha Airbase]] in bunkers (presumably here: {{coord|31.755783|34.917572|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Sdot Micha Airbase?}}) near the positions of [[Jericho (missile)|Jericho missiles]].<ref name= "nti-392">{{cite web|url=https://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/392/|title=Tel Nof Airbase – Facilities – NTI|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref name="globalse-Tel_Nof">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof / Tel Nov - Israel Airfields |website=GlobalSecurity.org|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/das-phantom-von-dimona-a-bc50e085-0002-0001-0000-000029787350|title=The Phantom of Dimona|website=Spiegel-Online|date=2004-01-25|access-date=2024-02-24|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00963402.2021.2014239?needAccess=true|title=Israeli nuclear weapons, 2021|website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2022|date=|access-date=2023-12-23}}</ref> Strike fighter jets that can carry such weapons over long distances, such as the [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]] today (see gallery below) and the [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4E Phantom II]] (see picture above), have been on alert at the base around the clock since the 1970s, when the first Phantoms were stationed there in the [[119 Squadron (Israel)|119 Squadron]] "Bat".<ref name="bat" /> This form of deterrence was one of the lessons that Israel learned from the wars with its neighbors, even though the country has not yet admitted that it has nuclear weapons.

=== Operation Wooden Leg ===
On 1 October 1985, under the name ''[[Operation Wooden Leg]]'', eight two-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15#Variants|F-15B/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' from Tel Nof attacked the headquarters of the [[Palestine Liberation Organization|PLO]] near [[Tunis]]. On their 2,300 km long flight to the destination on the Mediterranean coast of [[Tunisia]] the F-15s were refueled several times by two [[Boeing 707]] ''Re'em''. The headquarters were completely destroyed and – depending on the source – 50 to 75 PLO fighters were killed, including many leaders, but not Palestinian leader [[Yasser Arafat]]. The action was condemned without dissent in the [[United Nations|UNO]], and the USA also criticized it because it strained its relationship with Tunisia. The eight F-15 jets from Tel Nof involved received a corresponding symbol (target cross in the red circle with a blue wooden leg, see picture in the gallery below).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112140504/https://www.iaf.org.il/5642-46126-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Long Leg|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-03-02}}</ref>

=== F-15 variants at Tel Nof ===
<gallery widths="195">
F-15A-hatzerim-2.jpg|One of the first [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15A Eagle]] ''Baz'' of [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" at the [[Israeli Air Force Museum|IAF Museum]] near [[Hatzerim Airbase]] in 2006
IAF McDonnell Douglas F-15D Improved Baz Yad Ha Nefetz (Shatterhand) with Operation 'Wooden Leg' success marking.jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' from Tel Nof involved in [[Operation Wooden Leg]] with blue wooden leg symbol (left to the Star of David) in 2015
IAF-F-15I-Raam--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-162.jpg|The [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle#Variants|F-15I Eagle]] ''Ra'am'' of the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' at Tel Nof (see special symbol on tail) during an exhibition in 2017
F-15EX Eagle II.jpg|From 2029, fifty F-15IAs, based on the [[United States Air Force|USAF's]] new [[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II|F-15EX Eagle II]], will replace the aging F-15A/B/C/D ''Baz'' at Tel Nof
</gallery>

== Today ==
Today (2025), Tel Nof is home to two strike fighter jet and two transport helicopter squadrons as well as a drone squadron. Also located there is the [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' with one example of all aircraft variants (see F-15I Eagle ''Ra'am'' in the gallery above and F-35I ''Adir'' in the gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]"). Several special units of the [[Israel Defense Forces|Israel Defense Forces (IDF)]] are also located there, including [[Unit 669]] heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) and the training center for the [[35th Paratroopers Brigade (Israel)|Israeli Paratroopers Brigade]].

* Since January 2019, the so-called [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] has been operating at Tel Nof to train Israeli and German soldiers on the [[IAI Eitan]] (Heron TP) UAV. IAI ([[Israel Aerospace Industries]]) has built its own version of this UAV for the [[German Air Force]], whose crews are now being trained by Israeli soldiers and technicians. This unit is the only non-fully Israeli squadron within the IAF.<ref name="Red Baron">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9283-52268-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF Squadron that trains German Crews|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-07-02|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref>

* In November 2020, a brand-new [[Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II#F-35I "Adir"|F-35I]] ''Adir'' from the USA landed directly at Tel Nov. This specially equipped machine will serve as a test platform at the local [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' for further improvement of this stealth jet (see gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]").<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9291-52545-en/IAF.aspx|title=Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental "Adir"|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-11-11|access-date=2023-08-25}}</ref>

* At the end of 2021, Israel ordered twelve new [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' transport helicopters from the US for two billion dollars, which will complement the [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' at Tel Nof in the next few years. In July 2023, the [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" was temporarily closed and merged with the [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors". The former will reopen in the future and accommodate the new CH-53K King Stallion as they arrive from the United States (see gallery under "[[#Units|Units]]").<ref name="king0">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9324-52776-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF's Future Helicopter|website=IAF-Website|date=2021-02-25|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref name="king1">{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/erster-exporterfolg-fuer-sikorsky-israel-waehlt-ch-53k/|title=Israel wählt CH-53K|website=Flugrevue|date=2021-02-26|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref><ref name="king2">{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/ruestungsbeschaffungen-mit-us-geld-israel-unterschreibt-fuer-ch-53k-und-kc-46a/|title=Israel unterschreibt für CH-53K und KC-46A|website=Flugrevue|date=2022-01-01|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref><ref name="king3">{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57288-he/IAF.aspx|title=End of period - 114th Squadron merged with 118th Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-05|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref> [[Sikorsky Aircraft|Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky]] will also incorporate advanced Israeli systems into the new CH-53K helicopters to ensure they are optimally adapted to the requirements of the IAF.<ref name="king4">{{cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64702|title=The Air Force is Renewing: New "Wild" Helicopters Will Incorporate Advanced Israeli Systems|website=Israel Defense|date=2025-03-25|access-date=2025-03-25|language=he}}</ref>

* The aging [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15A/B/C/D Eagle]] ''Baz'' fighter jets at Tel Nof will be replaced in the medium term by new [[McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle#F-15IA|F-15IA]] (Israel Advanced), which are based on the [[Boeing F-15EX Eagle II|F-15EX Eagle II]]. 25 new jets for one squadron have been ordered with the option for 25 more, which will be delivered from 2029. These new, powerful strike fighter jets would be needed to carry heavy bunker-busting bombs that could then be used against [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's]] underground nuclear facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-boeing-official-in-israel-to-push-sale-of-advanced-f-15-jets-for-iran-strike/|title=Senior Boeing official in Israel to push sale of advanced F-15 jets for Iran strike|website=The Times Of Israel|date=2023-02-20|access-date=2023-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-sale-to-israel-reportedly-ready-to-close-will-gaza-change-that|title=F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?|website=The War Zone|date=2024-04-03|access-date=2024-04-04}}</ref> At the same time, at the [[Hatzerim Airbase]] 70 kilometers to the south, the 25 [[F-15I]] Ra'am jets there are being brought up to the latest F-15I+ standard through fundamental updates.<ref name="f-15ia" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/israel-executes-long-awaited-buy-of-f-15ia-advanced-eagle-fighters|title=Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters|website=The War Zone|date=2024-11-07|access-date=2024-11-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/63547|title=Contract signed to purchase 25 modern F-15IA aircraft from Boeing|website=Israel Defense|date=2024-11-09|access-date=2024-11-09|language=he}}</ref>

* During the [[Gaza war|Gaza War 2023/24]], drones of the type [[IAI Eitan]] (Heron TP) from Tel Nof were 24 hours a day in the air over Gaza to provide the IDF with target data for its attacks against positions of [[Hamas]].<ref>{{cite web |access-date=2023-11-08 |date=2023-11-08 |title=The Israeli Air Force's Heron UAV Squadron: the IDF's Largest Target Provider |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/60260 |website=Israel Defense}}</ref> According to unofficial sources, these drones are also capable of attacking targets on the ground using guided weapons.

* In the [[October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|Iranian strikes against Israel]] on 1 October 2024, 32 missiles hit the [[Nevatim Airbase]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2024 |title=Iranian Missiles Overwhelmed Israeli Defenses at Some Sites, Analysts Say |url=https://archive.today/20241004183209/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-missiles-israel-overwhelm-defence-a7cbd9af |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> Other main targets were the Tel Nof Airbase, the [[Mossad]] headquarters and the Glilot base of the Military Intelligence [[Unit 8200]] both north of [[Tel Aviv]]. Independent researchers who examined emerging satellite imagery said, it has caused only limited damage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2024 |title=Iran cites international law as justification for attack on Israel as regional tensions flare |url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/10/iran-cites-international-law-as-justification-for-israel-attack-as-regional-tensions-flare/ |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=www.jurist.org |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 October 2024 |title=Iran Exposed to Israeli Counterattack After Blows Against Its Allies |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-exposed-to-israeli-counterattack-after-blows-against-its-allies-4c65e888?mod=hp_lead_pos2 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref>

<gallery widths="195">
IAF 669 Unit Patch.png|The badge of [[Unit 669]] heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue|Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)]], nicknamed "Flying Cats"
Red Baron Squadron Tag.svg|The badge of the Israeli-German [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] at Tel Nof for training on the [[IAI Eitan]] UAV
ATC tower in Tel Nof IAF base.jpg|ATC Tower at Tel Nof Airbase with a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' helicopter flying by
Tat aluf Tomer Bar, April 2022. V.jpg|[[Aluf]] [[Tomer Bar]] (right) takes command of the IAF at Tel Nof in April 2022
</gallery>

== Units ==
* [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Spearhead" – operating [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15C/D Eagle]] ''Baz''<ref name="spear" />
* [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" – temporarily closed until new [[Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' arrive from the US<ref name="carriers" /><ref name="king3" />
* [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors" – operating [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur''<ref name="raptors" /><ref name="king3" />
* [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" – operating F-15C/D Eagle ''Baz''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33505-en/IAF.aspx|title=Knights Of The Twin Tail Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref>
* [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" – operating [[IAI Eitan]] UAVs<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4428-46031-en/IAF.aspx|title="White Eagle" Squadron Looking Ahead|website=IAF-Website|date=2015-12-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9204-53572-en/IAF.aspx|title=The 210th Squadron Turns 10|website=IAF-Website|date=2011-08-12|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref>
* [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|5601 Squadron]] "Flight Test Center" ''Manat'' – operating examples of all IAF aircraft<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbase.com/xnir/flight_test_center&page=1|title=IAF Flight Test Center Photo Gallery|website=xnir on pbase.com|date=2006-12-07|access-date=2024-11-09}}</ref>
* [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" – for [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare (EW)]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|title=And they struck them with blindness|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=2010-09-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref>
* [[Unit 669]] "Flying Cats" – heliborne [[Combat Search and Rescue]] (CSAR) (at [[Palmachim Airbase|Palmachim]] also)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/unit-669/|title=Unit 669|website=IDF-Website|date=2021-12-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4460-49224-en/IAF.aspx|title=A Rare Peek into SAR Unit 669|website=IAF-Website|date=2017-05-01|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57380-en/IAF.aspx|title=Officially Cats: End of 669 Course|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-13|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref>
* [[Multidimensional Unit (IDF)|Unit 888]] "Refaim" – combined special operations task force<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%d7%9b%d7%aa%d7%91%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%93%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%9d/2020/%d7%94%d7%99%d7%97%d7%99%d7%93%d7%94-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%91-%d7%9e%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%99%d7%aa/|title=Such a unit has not existed in the IDF - until today|website=IDF website|date=2020-01-01|access-date=2023-11-08|language=he}}</ref>
* [[Paratroopers Brigade]] Training Center
* [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] – to train Israeli and German crews on the [[IAI Eitan|Heron TP]] ''Eitan'' UAV<ref name="Red Baron" />

<gallery widths="195">
McDonnell Douglas F-15D-27-MC Eagle ‘980’ (48644576832).jpg|An [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' two-seater of [[106 Squadron (Israel)|106 Squadron]] "Spearhead" about to land at Tel Nof
Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, ILA 2018, Schönefeld (1X7A6778).jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53K|CH-53K King Stallion]] ''Wild'' will be based on Tel Nof in [[114 Squadron (Israel)|114 Squadron]] "Night Carriers" in the next years
120516 Independence Flypast CH-53 01.jpg|[[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof
IAF-F-15C-Baz--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-082.jpg|A single-seat [[McDonnell Douglas F-15|F-15C Eagle]] ''Baz'' of [[133 Squadron (Israel)|133 Squadron]] "Knights Of The Twin Tail" with four Syrian "Kill Marks"
IAF-Eitan--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-099.jpg|An [[IAI Eitan|IAI ''Eitan'']] UAV of [[210 Squadron (Israel)|210 Squadron]] "White Eagle" (see tail) from Tel Nof
The Israeli Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental «Adir». X.jpg|The Tel Nof [[5601 Squadron (Israel)|Flight Test Center]] ''Manat'' gets a special [[Lockheed Martin F-35|F-35I]] ''Adir'' in 2020
Orvey-Shakim-unit-IAF.png|Shoulder patch of [[Unit 555]] "Sky Crows" for [[Electromagnetic warfare|Electronic Warfare (EW)]] at Tel Nof
Hatzerim 280616 Yasur 01.jpg|The [[Unit 669]] trains the rescue of people with a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53D Sea Stallion]] ''Yas'ur'' from Tel Nof
IDF Multidimensional Unit change of command ceremony, July 2021. I.jpg|Change of command of the multi&shy;dimensional [[Multidimensional Unit (IDF)|Unit 888]] "Refaim" in July 2021 at Tel Nof
Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers Over Southern Israel.jpg|Paratroopers rain down over southern Israel in March 2012
Red Baron Squadron. I.jpg|The Israeli-German [[Red Baron Squadron (Israel)|"Red Baron" Squadron]] for UAV training was inaugurated at Tel Nof in 2019
</gallery>

Note: IAF aircraft can usually be assigned to their squadron by the symbols on the tail

== Accidents ==
* On 4 July 1948, engine No. 1 (left) of a [[Curtiss C-46 Commando]] of the [[Israeli Air Force]] ([[aircraft registration]] ''RX-133'') caught fire during start-up at what would later become the Tel Nof Airbase. Apparently, fuel had leaked onto the left wing during the refueling process with a manual fuel pump. The fire was extinguished, but the aircraft suffered significant damage to the left side of the fuselage, leaving it irreparably damaged. No one was injured.<ref>[https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/336673 Accident report C-46 RX-133], [[Flight Safety Foundation#Aviation Safety Network|Aviation Safety Network]], accessed on 12 January 2025.</ref> See also picture of an Israeli C-46 Commando above under ''[[#First cargo aircraft|First cargo aircraft]]''.

[[File:4X-FAE.jpg|thumb|An identical [[Nord Noratlas|Nord Noratlas 2501D]] in the [[Israeli Air Force Museum]]]]
* On 29 April 1964, a [[Nord Noratlas|Nord Noratlas 2501D]] of [[103 Squadron (Israel)|103 Squadron]] "Elephants" from Tel Nof ([[aircraft registration]] ''4X-FAD/044'') was flown into a mountain near [[Ramon Airbase]]. In this CFIT ([[Controlled flight into terrain]]), all 9 occupants were killed, the two pilots and the 7 passengers. It was the former ''GC+231'' of the [[German Air Force]] (Deutsche Luftwaffe).<ref>{{ASN accident|id=19640429-1|type=|title=Noratlas 4X-FAD/044|access-date=2023-09-26}}</ref> See also pictures of an identical Nord Noratlas above under ''[[#Yom Kippur War|Yom Kippur War]]'' and to the right.

* On 19 April 1974, two [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopters from Tel Nof collided over the [[Rosh Pina Airport]] in northern Israel. One of the two helicopters was able to land safely, while the other crashed and burst into flames. All eight IDF soldiers on board died. The IAF determined that the cause was human error on the part of one of the pilots, although several helicopters were landing at the same time and the air traffic controller was obviously overwhelmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528011552/http://www.iaf.org.il:80/3657-4989-he/IAF.aspx|title=Two Yas'ur helicopters collide while landing in Mahanayim|website=IAF Website|date=1974-04-19|access-date=2024-11-10|language=he}}</ref>

* On 10 May 1977, a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopter from Tel Nof [[1977 Israeli Air Force Sikorsky CH-53 crash|crashed]] during a night training exercise in the [[Jordan Valley]], killing all 54 people on board (including the 10-man crew), making it the worst single-aircraft crash in Israel. The crash site was in the [[West Bank]], about 5&nbsp;kilometers north of [[Jericho]] in a [[wadi]]. The cause was determined to be flying at too low an altitude during the dark, which caused the helicopter to strike a hill, crash and explode (CFIT, [[Controlled flight into terrain]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/judge-blames-pilot-for-helicopter-crash-in-which-54-israelis-died|title=Judge Blames Pilot for Helicopter Crash in Which 54 Israelis Died|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=1977-07-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yv8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6577,2025995&dq=israel+sikorsky+crash|title=Air Crash - Copter Falls Killing 54 Israeli Soldiers|website=The Evening Independent|date=1977-05-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref>

[[File:2024-10-26 Israeli strikes on Iran, F-15D -957 before the attack 2.jpg|thumb|300px|The [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' #957 before the [[October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran|Israeli attack on Iran]] during the night of 25-26 October 2024]]
* {{see also|1983 Negev mid-air collision}} In May 1983, an [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle#Variants|F-15D Eagle]] ''Baz'' #957 from Tel Nov and an [[Douglas A-4 Skyhawk|A-4 Skyhawk]] ''Ayit'' collided in mid-air during an exercise over the [[Negev]] desert in southern Israel. While the A-4 pilot ejected, the two-seat F-15D managed to land safely at nearby [[Ramon Airbase]], despite having its right wing almost completely torn off in the collision. This was only possible because the F-15 pilot turned on the afterburners, compensating for the lack of lift. The landing took place at about twice the normal speed, and the jet only came to a stop shortly before the end of the runway. The aircraft manufacturer [[McDonnell Douglas]] was so impressed by what was happening that it sent over a new right wing free of charge. The aircraft with the number 957 was repaired and put back into service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2014/09/15/f-15-lands-with-one-wing/|title=How an Israeli F-15 Eagle managed to land with one wing|website=theaviationist.com|date=2014-09-15|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html|title=CREW'S STORIES: NO WING F15|website=uss-bennington.org|date=2001-08-09|access-date=2024-02-23}}</ref> More than 41 years later it took part in the [[October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran]] (see photo on the right).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%99%D7%97%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9E%D7%94/%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%A2-%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%AA%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%91%D7%94-%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9A-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94/|title=This is what happened during the night of the attack in Iran|website=IDF-Website|date=2024-10-26|access-date=2024-11-12|language=he}}</ref>

* {{see also|1997 Israeli helicopter disaster}} On 4 February 1997, two [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53 Sea Stallion]] ''Ya'sur'' helicopters of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof collided in the evening hours over northern Israel while they were carrying soldiers into the Israeli security zone in [[Southern Lebanon]]. Both planes crashed, killing all 73 people on board - all male military personnel. The two crash sites were located in the [[Moshav]] ''[[She'ar Yashuv]]'' (Today's memorial: {{coord|33.222984|35.641142|format=dms|region:IL-HA_type:landmark|name=Memorial of the 1997 helicopter crash}}) and in an open field near the [[Kibbutz]] ''[[Dafna]]''. The crash, which represents the worst Israeli aviation disaster to date, sparked nationwide mourning and is considered one of the main reasons for Israel's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnetz.com/wie-eine-decke-ueber-dem-land/|title=Helicopter accident 25 years ago - “Like a blanket over the country”|website=Israelnetz|date=2022-02-04|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}</ref> The cause of the accident is believed to be that the two helicopter pilots lost visual contact and orientation with each other as they flew towards the border of Lebanon in the dark with their lights switched off as required.

<gallery widths="195">
אסון המסוקים 1.jpg|Remains of one of the two crashed CH-53 helicopters at [[She'ar Yashuv]]
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster VI.jpg|Debris of the second crashed CH-53 helicopter near [[Dafna]]
גופות חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Rescue and transport of victims of the two helicopter crashes
1997 Israeli helicopter disaster funeral.jpg|Funeral of one of the victims with great sympathy
חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Portrait photos of all 73 victims of the accident
PikiWiki Israel 35104 1997 helicopter disaster memorial in Migdal Haeme.JPG|Memorial in [[Migdal HaEmek]]
PikiWiki Israel 75589 helicopter disaster monument.jpg|Memorial in [[She'ar Yashuv]], one of the two crash sites
</gallery>

[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Yasur Crash Site, Romania.jpg|thumb|The crash site in Romania]]
* On 26 July 2010, a [[Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion|CH-53]] helicopter of [[118 Squadron (Israel)|118 Squadron]] from Tel Nof crashed near the town of [[Brașov]] in [[Romania]] during a Romanian-Israeli military exercise in the [[Carpathian Mountains]]. All seven passengers died: four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics and a Romanian liaison officer. An investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925489,00.html|title=IDF soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash|website=ynetnews.com|date=2010-07-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Israeli Air Force]]
* [[List of former Royal Air Force stations]]
* [[Nuclear weapons and Israel]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=C.&nbsp;G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= [[Shrewsbury]] |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}
*{{cite book|first1=Major-General I.S.O.|last1=Playfair|author-link1=Ian Stanley Ord Playfair|last3= with Flynn|first3=Captain F.C. (R.N.)|last2=Molony|first2=Brigadier C.J.C.|last4=Gleave|first4= Group Captain T.P.|editor-last=Butler|editor-first=Sir James|editor-link=James Ramsay Montagu Butler|series=History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series|title=The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume I: The Early Successes Against Italy, to May 1941|publisher= Naval & Military Press|location=Uckfield, UK|year=2009|orig-year=1st. pub. [[HMSO]]:1954|isbn= 978-1-84574-065-8|name-list-style=amp}}
*{{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R.|last2=Hamlin|first2=J.|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912 |year=2007 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=978-0851-3036-59}}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Tel Nof IAF base}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060520220708/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/israel/iafbase.htm Aeroflight World Airforces]
*[http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Palestine/raf.htm The RAF in Palestine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806173607/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Palestine/raf.htm |date=6 August 2007 }}

{{Israeli Air Force}}

[[Category:Airports in Israel]]
[[Category:Israeli Air Force bases]]
[[Category:World War II airfields in Mandatory Palestine]]