NEWSRAEL: After years of intensive training, becoming a pilot in the IAF was always a huge honor. After more than a year of IAF fighting on all fronts, including far away in Iran and Yemen - without ONE plane shot down - these new pilots must feel how great an honor it is to join what is probably the BEST air force in the world today.
IDF Spokesperson: The Round of Wings, in which officer ranks and flight wings were awarded to course No. 189, was held today (Wednesday), at the Air Force Museum at the "Hatzrim" base.
36 graduates join the ranks of the Air Force's fighters starting today, will form the operational and strategic spearhead of the IDF and will lead the Air Force's missions in the coming years.
The ceremony was held in the presence of the Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, additional commanders, and the families of the graduates. The families of the late Lieutenant Shahar Ben Nun, the late Major General Ily David Garfinkel, and the late Major General Alon Kudryashov, three soldiers who began their journey in Course 189 and fell during the war, were invited to the parade.
The graduation ceremony was held at the end of three years of training the cadets as combat officers, air crews, and graduates of an academic degree from Ben-Gurion University.
The current parade is being held under the sign of strength and hope, and during the war, in which the air dimension plays a significant and central role in maintaining the security of the citizens of the State of Israel, both in defense and offense.
From the words of the Chief of Staff, Major General Herzi Halevi:
"Let Iran know, let its forces and the entire Middle East know, that whoever tries to undermine the stability and security of the State of Israel, the IDF will stand firm against them, ready to strike at any time and anywhere. The lifeblood of command is learning through true investigations. The IDF maintains a complex and extensive investigation system in all branches and wings.
We did not wait and began investigations from the third month of the war, which has not happened in any war in the past. The investigations must be thorough and truthful. This is our duty to the fallen and their families, to the families of the kidnapped, to the political echelon and to the entire public, and this is our duty to ourselves - as the only possible way to improve and learn.
Victory in the war is the priority. The IDF has been investigating itself since its founding, but operational investigations do not replace or contradict external inspection bodies. The IDF will cooperate with any external inspection mechanism that is decided upon.
Dear graduates of the course, the officer ranks you received today are placed on your shoulders, where the buckles of the pilot's seat are tightened, where you also feel the weight of responsibility. A few minutes ago, you were awarded your flight wings and officer ranks. Use them wisely - lead with strength and determination, lead with humility and values."
From the words of the Air Force Commander, Major General Tomer Bar:
"We took off from the inferno and pain on October 7, raised our heads and soared with all the security forces, to cut off Hamas in Gaza, to strike Hezbollah in the north, to defend and attack Iran and its proxies - first and foremost the entire axis of evil.
Thanks to the performance of the Air Force personnel today, we fly in the skies of the Middle East with complete superiority. We attacked the Houthis in Yemen three times, and we will continue and increase the pace and intensity of the attacks as necessary.
Dear graduates, your patience has paid off. From tomorrow, you will be the ones who will bear the burden and will be given the great privilege to attack, gather, assist, and defend."