The Words of Israelis who Participated in Iran Operation

November 1, 2024

by: Kate Norman

Friday, 1 November 2024 | “What a remarkable thing we accomplished,” a major in the Israeli Air Force [IAF] who took place in Israel’s “Days of Repentance” operation in Iran last Saturday told Israeli daily newspaper Maariv on Wednesday.

Other participants in Israel’s operation responding to “months of continues attacks from the regime in Iran”—the Israel Defense Forces [IDF] said when it announced the operation overnight Saturday—also shared their insight on the operation.

“This specific strike might have been unexpected, but we were prepared,” Maj. S, an IAF fighter pilot told Maarev, as quoted by the Jerusalem Post, noting that their squadron had trained for this type of mission for a long time.

“As the launch moment approached, we trained even more closely on execution details and mission models, so there was very little difference between our readiness that night and our standard preparedness,” the major added.

Maj. S said he is “driven by a sense of national duty,” calling the operation “the most significant action and the highest achievement of my career.”

In describing his feelings leading up to the mission, Maj. S noted his racing thoughts amid the building pressure, “knowing there’s no room for error—many people are counting on you, and there’s a lot of responsibility on your shoulders.”

“The whole country doesn’t know what’s about to happen, and I’m there personally on the plane,” the major added. Yet despite not knowing what was about to happen, Maj. S said he believes most Israeli civilians “understand that our forces will reach anywhere in the Middle East and beyond to defend the country” and that they trust in the Israeli military.

He pointed out that when striking in enemy airspace, “the focus is on hitting the target accurately.” And while flying back to Israel after completing the mission, Maj S. said, “I thought, “What a remarkable thing we accomplished.”

The operation took place in the predawn hours Saturday morning when the IAF struck around 20 military sites in Iran, the Jerusalem Post reported, in three separate waves.

More than 100 Israeli aircraft and drones participate in the strikes, the Jerusalem Post reported, targeting Iran’s air defenses and ballistic missile production sites.

“The regime in Iran and its proxies in the region have been relentlessly attacking Israel since October 7—on seven fronts—including direct attacks from Iranian soil,” the IDF said when it announced the operation Saturday morning. “Like every other sovereign country in the world, the State of Israel has the right and the duty to respond.”

Maj. S added that Israel’s air force is “prepared to operate anywhere, reaching anyone posing a threat. Our training, development and technological advancements are constantly ongoing to ensure this.”

Maj. R, an IAF technical officer, detailed the preparations for the mission and how detailed they were to ensure that everything will go as planned.

Before the launch, Maj. R told Maariv, “the immense excitement is tangible; you lock eyes with each other, filled with anticipation and a bit of apprehension regarding the munitions. Then you wait for the return, see the signal that everything worked and breathe.”

He noted that he wasn’t concerned and that the squadron is well trained and well prepared. “These jets are armed and ready to go up with the correct munitions.”

An air traffic controller who participated in the mission, Maj. Anael, described the operation experience as “powerful,” as quoted by the Jerusalem Post. She reiterated the IAF’s readiness in closing, “We are prepared to defend and do whatever it takes.”

Posted on November 1, 2024

Source: (Bridges for Peace, November 1, 2024)

Photo Credit: Major Ofer, Israeli Air Force רס"ן עופר, חיל האוויר הישראלי/Wikimedia.org

Photo License: Wikimedia