unstable, and the arrival of seven
countries who say that they
believe in the State of Israel, the
IDF [Israel Defense Forces] and
IAF, is a significant statement.”
Lt Col Guy, the head of the
Training Branch within the
IAF Air Division elaborated:
“Blue Flag helps cement the
IAF’s status. We see each
participant as an ambassador.”
Chief of the Blue Flag
Management Team, Lt Col (res)
Tal, added: “The IAF is Israel’s
‘display window’ and the direct
encounter between the air forces
is an inseparable part of forming
strong, continuous relationships
with other countries, near or far.”
“The Blue Flag exercise is a central
event in the IAF, and as part of this
we operate and train a vast aerial
force for two consecutive weeks,”
concluded Col Itamar, commander
of Ovda Air Base. “The ability to
host seven air forces, train and
debrief together and co-operate
reflects our international status and
national resilience. In the world
we live in today, a state must have
the ability to create coalitions and
we want to learn from other air
forces, strengthen our deterrence
capability and demonstrate
the IAF to our participants.”Looking to the future
The next Blue Flag will likely
take place at the end of 2019.
Currently the IAF is entering the
era of the fifth-generation fighter
and its first F-35I squadron was
declared operational in December- It is more than likely that
the new jets will play a prominent
role when the exercise returns to
the Negev in two years’ time.
Block 30 F-16C Barak 344 (4J-
18, 87-1663) makes a dramatic
departure from Ovda. The full
complement of local 115 Squadron
‘Flying Dragon’ aircraft was
available to provide aggressor
support. Amit Agronovhttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #358 JANUARY 2018 // 81Blue Flag 2017 participants
Force Unit Type Number of aircraft/remarks
Israeli Air Force 103 Squadron ‘Elephants’ C-130J 1
107 Squadron ‘Knights of the Orange Tail’ F-16I 6
101 Squadron ‘First Fighter’ F-16C 6
109 Squadron ‘Valley’ F-16D Support aircraft for 115 Squadron
115 Squadron ‘Flying Dragon’ F-16C Complete squadron
117 Squadron ‘First Jet’ F-16C Support aircraft for 115 Squadron
120 Squadron ‘Desert Giants’ KC-707 1
122 Squadron ‘Nachshon’ G500/G550 –
133 Squadron ‘Knights of the Twin Tail’ F-15A/B/C/D 14 (some loaned from 106
Squadron)
Armée de l’Air Escadron de Chasse 1/3 ‘Navarre’ Mirage 2000D 5
US Air Forces in Europe 510th Fighter Squadron ‘Buzzards’ F-16CJ 8
Luftwaffe Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 73 ‘Steinhoff’ EF2000 6
Indian Air Force 77 Squadron ‘Veiled Vipers’ C-130J 1
Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira ‘Tigers’ F-16C/D 4
Italian Air Force 6° Stormo Tornado IDS/ECR 4
Polish Air Force 3 Eskadra Lotnictwa Taktycznego, 6 Eskadra
Lotnictwa Taktycznego
F-16C/D 6Top: F-15C Baz 840 (IC008, 80-0129) wears the markings of 106 ‘Tip of the Spear’ Squadron but was assigned to 133
Squadron ‘Knights of the Twin Tail’ for the duration of the exercise. Carrying the individual name ‘Kommando’, this
aircraft gained 3.5 kill markings from the 1982 war with Syria. Amit Agronov Above: A two-seat F-15D recovers at Ovda.
Baz 455 (648/ID002) is a 133 Squadron jet named ‘Pratzim’ (‘Storm wind’). It has a single kill and is fitted with a satellite
communications dome. Noam Menashe Below: Another Block 30 F-16C, Barak 350 (4J-22, 87-1667) is on strength with
117 Squadron ‘First Jet’ at Ramat David. Noam MenasheAFM