F-16A Netz IDF #107
- Scară:
- 1:48
- stare:
- idei
- A început:
- May 8, 2023
On June 7, 1981, Fighting Falcon No. 107 participated in the IAF's strike on the Iraqi nuclear reactor Osirak, with former Military Intelligence chief Major General (ret.) Amos Yadlin at the controls.
In the following years the jet became the highest scoring individual F-16, downing a total of seven enemy aircraft - a record unmatched even by the most advanced F-16 models in use today.
The Netz 107 began its history of successful missions on April 21, 1982 when downed a Syrian MiG-23 with a rocket fired by Colonel in reserves Zeev Raz, who led the bombing of the Iraqi reactor a year before.
On June 9, 1982, during the First Lebanon War, the famed F-16 shot down two Syrian MiG-23 planes. One of the two rockets that led to the Syrian planes' demise was launched by former Israel Air Force commander in reserves Eliezer Shakedi and the other rocket was fired by Colonel Eitan Sativa.
On June 11, 1982, the No. 107 F-16 jet had its historical day after it shot down two MiG-23 Syrian jets, a Soviet made Sukhoi Su-17, and an Aérospatiale Gazelle helicopter all in one blow by Colonel Eitan Sativa.
The jet bears 6.5 Syrian kill markings (one was a joint interception with another Israeli fighter) and a green triangle from operation Opera.
No. 107 was finally retired from operational duty at the end of 2014, after serving since 1995 as a training aircraft for flight cadets; and in light of its impressive achievements, the aircraft underwent a facelift and now stands proud at the IAF Museum in Hatzerim.