210 Squadron (Israel)

{{Short description|Israeli unmanned reconnaissance aircraft squadron}}

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = 210th Squadron IAF

| nickname = White Eagle Squadron

| native_name = טייסת 210

| image = IAF_Squadron_210.png

| caption = Logo of the Squadron

| country = {{country|Israel}}

| allegiance = {{armed forces|Israel}}

| branch = {{air force|Israel}}

| type = Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron

| garrison = Tel Nof Airbase

| dates = 2010 – present

| aircraft_general = IAI Eitan

| identification_symbol =100px

| identification_symbol_label = Patch

}}

File:IAI Eitan cropped.jpg]]

210 "White Eagle" Squadron of the Israeli Air Force is an IAI Eitan squadron based at Tel Nof Airbase.

History

The squadron was inaugurated on December 20, 2010, at a ceremony at Tel Nof, and accepted its first UAV in February 2011.Newdick and Zidon 2013, p. 200 Its first commander was Lt. Colonel S.{{cite web|last=Harari|first=Yael|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4363-35979-en/IAF.aspx|date=December 21, 2010|accessdate=December 28, 2010|publisher=Israeli Air Force|title=Launching a New Squadron}}{{cite web|url=http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/12/21/iaf-opens-new-eitan-uav-squadron-to-operational-use-21-december-2010/|accessdate=December 28, 2010|publisher=Israeli Defence Forces|title=IAF Opens New "Eitan" UAV Squadron to Operational Use|date=21 December 2010|archive-date=6 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006032425/http://idfspokesperson.com/2010/12/21/iaf-opens-new-eitan-uav-squadron-to-operational-use-21-december-2010/|url-status=dead}} It is currently led by Lt. Colonel A.

210 Squadron is the IAF's first UAV unit to operate away from the IAF's traditional UAV hub at Palmachim. Tel Nof offers a longer runway and the more extensive infrastructure required by the two-ton class Eitan,Newdick and Zidon 2013, p. 64 and will help the integration of UAV operations into the IAF's core operational thinking. The squadron's aircraft wear a Light Compass Grey scheme, and feature tail art in the shape of a white eagle against a black background on their vertical stabilizers.Newdick and Zidon 2013, p. 243

On January 29, 2012, one of the squadron's UAVs crashed shortly after takeoff from Tel Nof. falling near Kibbutz Hafetz Haim.{{cite news|first=Amos|last=Harel|date=January 29, 2012|accessdate=March 15, 2014|work=Haaretz|title=Military drone crashes near central Israel town|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/military-drone-crashes-near-central-israel-town-1.409809}} The aircraft suffered damages estimated at several million dollars. The Eitan fleet was grounded for several months until two investigative teams, one by the air force and another by Israel Aircraft Industries, submitted their findings. The aircraft was found to have gone down during flight testing of a navigational component fitted on one of its wings, which broke.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/amid-talk-of-iran-strike-idf-set-to-reactivate-long-range-intelligence-drone-1.457714|title=Amid talk of Iran strike, IDF set to reactivate long-range intelligence drone|first=Gili|last=Cohen|date=August 12, 2012|accessdate=March 15, 2014|work=Haaretz}} After additional tests by IAI, the air force permitted the Eitan back into the air in September 2012.{{cite news|publisher=Israeli Air Force|date=September 6, 2012|first=Tal|last=Michael|script-title=he:מל"ט ה"איתן" חוזר לטוס|language=Hebrew}}

Two months later the squadron took part in Operation Cast Lead.{{cite news|publisher=Israeli Air Force|date=November 20, 2012|first=Tal|last=Michael|script-title=he:חודשיים אחרי הקרקוע: האיתן משתתף במבצע|language=Hebrew}} 210 Squadron and the Eitan have been mentioned amid the talk of a possible Israeli strike against Iran's nuclear program. The UAV's high service ceiling, its ability to stay a loft for a considerable amount of time, and large payload and range, have made it especially suited for long-range and advanced reconnaissance and intelligence missions. The aircraft have been linked to possible Israeli strikes against Iranian arms convoy in Sudan.

In 2017, the squadron received "Ethan" aircraft of an improved model with increased carrying capacity and new capabilities.{{Cite web |title=IAF |url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4465-49638-he/IAF.aspx |website=www.iaf.org.il}} which increased the SDA of the squadron by 50%.{{Cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/31559|title=טייסת "הנשר הלבן" תגדל ב-50 אחוזים|language=he|website=Israel Defense|date=11 February 2017 |accessdate=8 July 2024}}

During the Gaza war, it also played a key role in targeting Hamas militants while flying from Tel Nof Airbase.{{cite web |access-date=2023-11-08 |date=2023-11-08 |title=The Israeli Air Force's Heron UAV Squadron: the IDF's Largest Target Provider |url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/60260 |website=Israel Defense}}

References

=Notes=

=Bibliography=

{{cite book|title=Modern Israeli Air Power|first1=Thomas|first2=Ofer|last1=Newdick|last2=Zidon|publisher=Harpia Publishing|year=2013}}

Category:Israeli Air Force squadrons