117 Squadron (Israel)

Israeli military unit

117 Squadron

טייסת הסילון הראשונה

First Jet Squadron

Active| 1953-2020; 2021-
Disbanded| September 2020 - as active Air Defense squadron; reestablished July 2021 as training squadron
Country|  Israel
Branch|  Israeli Air Force
Role| F-35I training (2021-); Air Defense (1953-2020)
Garrison/HQ| Nevatim Airbase (2021-); Ramat David Airbase (1953-2020)
Aircraft flown
Fighter| F-35I (current); F-16C and Mirage IIICJ (previous); Meteor F.8 (first)

Military unit

Four Israeli fighter pilots walking in front of their Gloster Meteor F.8 jets of 117 Squadron "First Jet" in 1953 or somewhat later at Ramat David Airbase

The 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), also known as the First Jet Squadron, is initially a training squadron for F-35I Adir fighter pilots, based at Nevatim Airbase.[1]

## History

[edit]

Before it closed in September 2020 after 67 years of service,[1] the 117th was an F-16C fighter squadron based at Ramat David Airbase.[2] The squadron was openend there on 17 June 1953 and operated Israel's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, flying the T.7 (two-seat trainer), F.8 (fighter) and FR.9 (reconnaissance) variants.[3]

In July 2021, Airforce Technology reported that the Israeli Air Force had re-established the 117 Squadron "First Jet" as a training squadron in the IAF's F-35I Adir division, based at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. It will become an operational squadron as soon as there are enough jets arrived from the US.[1]

* Opening ceremony of the then new 117 Squa­dron on 17 June 1953 at Ramat David Airbase

* A Dassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak of 117 Squadron "First Jet" is landing at Ramat David Airbase in 1970

* An F-16C Barak from the 117 Squa­dron "First Jet" at Blue Flag in 2017, disbanded at Ramat David in 2020

* The reopening of the 117 Squadron on 1 July 2021 at Nevatim Airbase with F-35I Adir jets

## References

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Squadron 117 (Israeli Air Force).

1. ^ a b c "Israeli Air Force re-establishes 117th Squadron as F-35I training squadron". www.airforce-technology.com. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
2. ^ "117 Squadron - The First Jet". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
3. ^ "Gloster Meteor". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 7 October 2021.

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Israeli Air Force

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Air bases (N to S)|

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Israeli Air Force – list of aircraft squadrons

Combat squadrons|

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Helicopter squadrons|

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Unmanned|

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* Flight training school: 102
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* Flight test center: 5601

Inactive|

* 110
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* 149
* 192
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Notable|

* Elad Squadron
* Red Baron Squadron

Historical|

* Tel Aviv Squadron
* Negev Squadron
* Galilee Squadron

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