There are interesting things happening within the Israeli Air Force (IAF)!  Woman aviators are achieving positions of leadership, and the largest international aerial training exercise in Israel’s history commenced on Sunday!

For the first time in IAF history, a female pilot has been appointed deputy commander of a combat squadron.  The 27-year-old F-15 pilot from Tel Aviv is married to another F-15 pilot, and keeping it all in the family, her grandfather lost his life in the Yom Kippur War when his plane crashed near the Suez Canal.

“Captain Y” will serve in the Spearhead Squadron and will soon be promoted to major.  In addition, two other females have been named deputy commanders of drone squadrons.  Will it be long before a very capable female takes the reigns as commander?

Meanwhile, Israel is hosting 70 foreign aircraft and hundreds of pilots and air support members from the United States, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Germany, and India for “Blue Flag.”  The exercises include evading advanced surface-to-air missiles and air-to-air maneuvers.  It is Israel’s third time to host Blue Flag, and India’s participation is the first-ever for that country.

The 11-day exercise will take place out of the Israeli Air Force’s Ovda base, north of Eilat.  Pray for safety and successful drills.