In August 2008, the squadron and its fleet
of 707s left Ben Gurion International Airport
(formerly Lod Airport) and moved to Nevatim
AFB in southern Israel, and changed its
name to the Desert Giants squadron,
referencing the large aircraft it operates.AID MISSIONS
Since Israel was established in 1948, it
has taken part in numerous humanitarian
aid activities. The country keeps a special
medical and rescue unit on call for any
contingency or natural disaster, at home or
abroad.
For worldwide emergencies, the IAF uses
the 120th Sqn and its fleet of 707s, which
stands ready to transport a mobile field
hospital, equipped with operating rooms,
intensive care units, X-ray equipment and
medical supplies.Among the humanitarian missions have
been the earthquakes in Izmit in Turkey in
1999, Haiti in 2010 and the 2011 To ̄ hoku
earthquake and tsunami in Japan.FUTURE
The Boeing 707 is the oldest type in the
IAF’s inventory. The aircraft have seen
more flight hours in peace, war and special
operations than any other Israeli airborne
platform.
The fact is even more remarkable
because they were bought from commercial
airlines and already had thousands of flight
hours on the clock before they joined the
120th Sqn.
A replacement has been sought with
many options considered. The IAF is
waiting for a decision by the US President
on granting export permission for the BoeingKC-46 Pegasus, the refuelling version of the
767-200 airliner that is currently completing
flight tests.
IAI has proposed converting a 767-300
with the addition of wing refuelling pods,
and a side cargo door. The variant could
perform aerial tanker, cargo, and VIP
transport duties.
The company has sold one of these
converted aircraft to the Colombian Air
Force, which took delivery of it in 2010.
The downside of the proposal is the fact
that, again, the conversion relies on an
aircraft that comes from a civil airline with
thousands of flight hours, making it more
susceptible to maintenance problems.
No matter what the replacement, the new
aircraft will have extremely large shoes to fill
as the 707 set the standard for distinguished
service and versatile use.http://www.aviation-news.co.uk 57Above left: A close-up of the nose of the Phalcon 707.
Left: The 120th Squadron Desert Giants operate the Boeing 707s
and the unit’s name can be seen on the refuelling boom of this
aircraft. Note the boom operator camera system mounted under
the rear fuselage.
Above: A Boeing 707 simulates refuelling an F-15s during a
flypast to mark Israel’s 69th independence day on May 2, 2017.This aircraft performed the VIP role until 2008 but is now a tanker. The black engine cowlings identify it as having gone through the JT3D engine
replacement programme.54-57_jetliners_707DC.mfDC.mfDC.mfDC.indd 57 04/05/2018 11:36