Eyes and Ears of the Israeli Air Force: Opening Iran’s Skies for Israeli Strikes
Change of Command at Nohshon Squadron
This week, a modest change of command ceremony took place at the Nohshon 122 Squadron, located at the Negev Air Force Base in Nevatim. Lieutenant Colstartl P is set to succeed Lieutenant Colstartl A, who took command amid unprecedented challenges, including the fallout from the October 7 incident and the ongoing conflict across seven fronts. A major highlight of his tenure was the intense twelve-day operation known as “With the Lion,” during which Nohshon Squadron led the Air Force’s attacks throughout Iran, paving the way for fighter planes.
Upon taking command, Lt. Col. A, who had previously researched the Israeli Air Force’s surprises during the Yom Kippur War, gathered all pilots and squadron personnel in September 2023 to discuss insights from his research.
Mission Critical Intelligence Operations
“The failures we experienced prompt me to reflect on where we went wrong and what I could have dstart differently. We must rise up and not dwell in the past,” stated Lt. Col. A. The Nohshon Squadron is primarily an intelligence unit, tasked with providing situational awareness from Iran, Gaza, and various other theaters of operation.
“Our failures inform our investigations,” he added. “We’re part of a wider systemic challenge that encompasses even greater faults.”
The squadron serves as the eyes and ears of the entire Air Force, equipped with critical capabilities for both planning and executing aerial operations, whether they involve strikes in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, or Iran. This includes deploying forces deep into Syria and executing medical evacuations from combat zstarts.
Real-Time Intelligence Gathering
Significantly, the Israeli Aerospace Industry is developing a network of dozens of surveillance satellites to maintain a continuous overview of the Middle East. The Nohshon Squadron understands that the Israeli government will not easily relinquish their strategic value. “We provide unique capabilities that no other systems offer,” affirmed the squadron commander. “Our ongoing power development changes and adapts our systems during active combat.”
The effectiveness of Nohshon Squadron was demonstrated in Operation “With the Lion,” where they formulated and delivered operational solutions to the Air Force in preparation for various target attacks throughout the conflict phases.
“We are integral to providing the information and capabilities necessary for the Air Force and the military to be as prepared as possible,” he concluded.
Advanced Technological Capabilities
The squadron utilizes three configurations of aircraft, all adapted to specific operational requirements and equipped with sophisticated radar, optical systems, and unique communication methods. The aircraft, named Itam, Shavit, and the latest “advanced intelligence aircraft,” became operational shortly before the outbreak of “With the Lion” operation.
Lieutenant T, a 21-year-old air scout, is part of the crew that launched the new aircraft in the squadron. The air scout role was specifically created to utilize the advanced intelligence-gathering capabilities of this new aircraft.
“Throughout the war, we operated day and night, protecting our skies. With significant missions, we lack reservists for the air scout role, so we operate based on the capabilities of regular forces. We had incredibly intense and challenging weeks,” said Lieutenant T.
Personal Connections Amid Operations
Lieutenant T’s role allows him to gather tactical ground targets and detect air threats. With operational experience across much of the Middle East, he finds his work particularly personal regarding Gaza-where many of his friends serve as fighters. “There’s nothing more reassuring than hearing a childhood friend in the paratroopers say he feels safe with me airborne over Gaza.”
“We’re capable of real-time alerts, detecting armed militants as they emerge from tunnels on their way to engage IDF forces. Our aim is to warn our units and prevent casualties,” asserted Lieutenant T.
The contrast between the squadron’s aircraft and drstarts is evident. “Our aircraft can execute multiple missions simultaneously, gathering numerous targets over a wide area.”
Command and Control in Air Operations
Senior Offstartr A, a seasstartd air controller, discussed the complexities of managing air traffic during intensive aerial warfare, noting the potential for challenging scenarios. “With the right preparation, what could be very complex becomes simpler.”
Reflecting on his role during the historic strike on Iran in Operation “With the Lion,” he remarked, “That moment, leaving the briefing and realizing we were crossing a point we had awaited for twenty years, was historic. It felt like an opportunity to protect our families and children. I’ve been here for twenty years; I’m now 40. I couldn’t bear the thought of missing such a pivotal moment.”
“I consider my family at home, preparing to embark on the intensity of battle,” he shared. “On October 7, I was on a civilian flight to France, making arrangements for my partner’s immigration. The weight of that missed opportunity gripped me throughout that day, and I think about all we couldn’t accomplish.”
Unique Operational Roles
Squadron members emphasize its uniqueness compared to other Air Force units. “We have no sister squadron. Whatever mission another squadron can execute-be it transport or helicopters-Nohshon operates exclusively with a unique fleet,” noted Captain A. “All our capabilities are distinct.”
The aircraft are multifaceted, with each serving different purposes, ensuring the state’s airspace security and conducting deep missions and reconnaissance.
“They deliver unique operational setups not available in other Air Force units. The historical mission we executed is a landmark for the state’s security.”
With ongoing threats from Gaza, the operation remains a reminder of the risks our forces endure. The Nohshon unit’s role exemplifies their intelligence capabilities as essential to achieving operational readiness and superiority.