Tel Nof Airbase#British Mandate

Established in the spring of 1941 as RAF Aqir during the Mandate for Palestine, it served as the main base for the Royal Air Force (RAF) in Mandate for Palestine. It was named after the Arab village Aqir north of it that perished in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War and was located in the area of today's Kiryat Ekron.

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• No. 6 Squadron between 17 and 24 February 1941 with the Westland Lysander{{sfn|Jefford|1988|p=25}}
• No. 10 Squadron detachment (1942) Handley Page Halifax
• No. 11 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 32 Squadron (1946) Supermarine Spitfire IX
• No. 37 Squadron (1945) Consolidated Liberator VI
• No. 45 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 55 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 70 Squadron (1945) Consolidated Liberator VI
• No. 80 Squadron (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
• No. 84 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 113 Squadron (1946–1947) Handley Page Halifax
• No. 159 Squadron (1942) Consolidated Liberator II
• No. 160 Squadron (1942) Consolidated Liberator II
• No. 162 Squadron (1942) Vickers Wellington later Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 208 Squadron (1941) Hawker Audax and (1946) Supermarine Spitfire VIII
• No. 211 Squadron (1941) Bristol Blenheim IV
• No. 215 Squadron (1947) Douglas Dakota I
• No. 221 Squadron detachment (1945) Vickers Wellington XII
• No. 227 Squadron (1942) Handley Page Halifax
• No. 250 Squadron (1941) Curtiss Tomahawk IIB
• No. 294 Squadron detachment (1944) Vickers Wellington IC
• No. 335 (Greek) Squadron (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
• No. 450 Squadron RAAF (1941) Hawker Hurricane I
• No. 620 Squadron (1946) Douglas Dakota and Handley Page Halifax
• No. 621 Squadron (1946) Avro Lancaster ASR.III
• No. 680 Squadron detachment (1945) Fairchild Argus
• No. 76 Operational Training Unit Vickers Wellington - Formed at RAF Aqir on 1 October 1943, equipped with Vickers Wellington Mk.IIIs and Xs to train night bomber crews for squadrons in the Middle East, disbanding on 30 July 1945.IWM CM 5756 76 OTU, despite operating Wellingtons, were also working up crews for B-24 Liberators. After completion of their course those crews were passed on to Liberator conversion units.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rafcommands.com/forum/showthread.php?7622-76-Otu-21-9-1944|title=76 Otu - 21-9-1944}}{{sfn|Sturtivant|Hamlin|2007|p=205}}

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Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943 CM2212.jpg|A Greek pilot in front of a Hawker Hurricane at RAF Aqir, 1941-1943

Vickers Wellington - Royal Air Force in the Middle East, 1944-1945. CM5756.jpg|A Vickers Wellington Mark X of 76 OTU at RAF Aqir, 1944-1945

Air gunner training RAF Aqir WWII IWM CM 5754.jpg|Air gunner training at RAF Aqir, 1944-1945

Handley Page Halifax - British Forces in the Middle East, 1945-1947 E32215.jpg|Handley Page Halifax, 113 Squad­ron from RAF Aqir, 1946-1947

After the British withdrawal from RAF Aqir in May 1948, the base was taken over by the IDF and renamed Ekron Airbase – after the biblical city of Ekron and today's Kiryat Ekron 1 km north of it – and, from 1950, Tel Nof Airbase (English: Lookout hill). The name "Tel Nof" dates back to the 1930s, when the area was known by this name as an urban development area, similar to the then-thriving "Tel Aviv" (English: Spring hill).

During the Arab War on 29 May 1948, the first four fighter aircraft Avia S-199 of the first squadron 101 "First Fighter" of the new Israeli Air Force (IAF) took off from here for their first mission, an attack on the Ad Halom Bridge in the eastern outskirts of Ashdod, which was in the hands of Egyptian troops, who advanced on Tel Aviv. Important was less the modest military success of this operation – one plane was shot down – than the shock to the Egyptian soldiers when they saw with their own eyes that Israel now had an Air Force (see photo of plaque in gallery below). The advance was delayed, and this gave the Israeli army (IDF) enough time to bring in troops and stop it.

On 17 August 1948, Ekron Airbase (later Tel Nof Airbase) was officially and ceremoniously opened. Hatzor Airbase and Ramat David Airbase taken over from the British soon followed. After the Avia S-199 – imported from Czechoslovakia and a replica of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 made out of parts left over from German war production – additional fighter aircraft were acquired from the stocks of the former Allies, such as the British Supermarine Spitfire and the North American P-51 Mustang. The IAF Flight Academy, which was initially based at Camp Sirkin east of Petah Tikva, was established at Tel Nof in 1955 until it was relocated to the then newly built Hatzerim Airbase in 1966, where it still is today.{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof|publisher=Global Security|access-date=2009-02-06}}

Avia-S-199-IAF-101Sqn-Tel-Nof-Israel-1948-01.jpg|Czech Avia S-199 of Israeli 101 Squadron at Ekron Airbase in 1948

107392 battle "ad halom" in the war of independ PikiWiki Israel.jpg|Plaque on the "Battle of Ad Halom" at the Ad Halom park east of Ashdod

Hatzerim 290110 Spitfire 02.jpg|A Spitfire Mk.IXe of 101 Squadron, from the early days of the IAF

Hatzerim Mustang 29012010 02.jpg|A P-51D Mustang of 101 Squadron of the IAF, from its early days too

The 119 Squadron "Bat" was established in 1956, initially at Ramat David Airbase and was intended to fly night missions with jets (hence the name "Bat"). It received used Gloster Meteor NF.13 (two-seat night fighters) from the Royal Air Force, with which it shortly thereafter took part in the combat operations of the Suez Crisis. To bring the squadron closer to its primary operational area in Egypt, it was relocated to Tel Nof at the end of 1957 and the following year received several new SO-4050 Vautours from the French manufacturer Sud-Ouest. In 1963, the 119 Squadron "Bat" was temporarily decommissioned and its jets transferred to squadrons at Ramat David.{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528214429/https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Bat Squadron|website=IAF Website|date=|access-date=2025-04-08}}

Meteor IAF 1954.jpg|Single-seat Gloster Meteor F.8 in flight, from Ramat David in 1954

Gloster Meteor NF13 Hatzerim 260404.JPG|Two-seat Gloster Meteor NF.13 at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim in 2004

Vautour Kfar Giladi 230515.jpg|A preserved SO-4050 Vautour near Kfar Giladi in northern Israel in 2015

119th sq. NEW.jpg|Current symbol of 119 Squadron "Bat", today based on Ramon

In 1964, the 119 Squadron was reopened at Tel Nof with new French Dassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak fighter jets, which later flew over 300 missions in the Six-Day War, shooting down 23 enemy aircraft. In 1970, the Mirage jets were transferred to other squadrons and US-made F-4E Phantom II Kurnass strike fighter jets were acquired, which soon took part in the Yom Kippur War.

At the beginning of the Palestine War in late 1947, ten Curtiss C-46 Commando cargo aircraft were purchased from the US Air Force inventory and eventually stationed at Ekron Airbase. They formed the backbone of the transport fleet of the newly founded Israeli Air Force and were consolidated in December 1948 with the formation of the 106 Squadron "Spearhead". During the war, these aircraft transported equipment and supplies to the troops and settlers in the Negev Desert in southern Israel and also carried out occasional bombing raids. Important landing sites for supply flights were the Ruhama Airfield east of Sderot (see photo in gallery below) and the Malhata Airfield east of Beersheba, today's Nevatim Airbase.{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523212242/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33514-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Edge Of The Spear Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-12-22}}

In March 1949, shortly before the end of the war, the cargo aircraft also took part in Operation Uvda, the securing of the southern Negev up to the Red Sea, as envisaged by the UN partition plan of 1947. For this purpose, the temporary Abraham Airfield (Sde Avraham) was built far to the south, near today's Ovda Airbase. After the Palestine War, the aircraft were then used by El Al Israel Airlines (see photo in gallery below) or transferred to the 103 Squadron "Elephants". The 106 Squadron "Spearhead" was then shut down and reopened in June 1982 with F-15C/D jets on Tel Nof again.{{cite web|url=https://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/aa-mideast/israel/af/units/106sqn.htm|title=106 Squadron – Unit History|website=aeroflight.co.uk|date=1999-09-12|access-date=2024-12-22}}

Ruhama airfield ii.jpg|An Israeli C-46 Commando cargo plane at Ruhama Airfield in August 1948 during the Palestine War

Sde Avraham.jpg|Piper PA-11 Cub Special planes on temporary Abraham Airfield (Sde Avraham) during Operation Uvda

4X-ALE Marvin Goldman Collection.jpg|After the Palestine War several C-46 planes were transferred to El Al Israel Airlines, photo around 1950

With the 114 Squadron "Night Carriers", founded in 1966, and the 118 Squadron "Night Raptors", established in 1970 – both at Tel Nof – supplies and troop and casualty transports were now also carried out by heavy transport helicopters. The 114 Squadron initially flew the French Super Frelon Tzirʿa and later, together with the 118 Squadron, the US CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur. See also: Yom Kippur War and Units.

During the 1948 Palestine War there was a provisional paratroopers unit in Israel, which was expanded from the beginning of the 1950s into a regular Paratroopers Brigade, whose headquarters and training center are still located at Tel Nof to this day. Since then, this brigade has participated in many important operations in the wars over Israel, such as the Suez Crisis in the fall of 1956, when Israeli paratroopers occupied the strategically important Mitla Pass on the Sinai Peninsula. During the Six-Day War, they conquested the Old City of Jerusalem and were particularly remembered for capturing the Temple Mount with the Western Wall on 7 June 1967, in an iconic photograph by David Rubinger (see gallery below).

Tel Nof IAF base (997008137056205171).jpg|Soldiers of the Israel Paratroopers Brigade at Tel Nof Airbase in 1955

An Israeli unit of parachutists lining up in front of nord transport planes destined to go into actlion in Sinai, last minute change orders were deirected to Jerusalem. June 1967. D327-061.jpg|Paratroopers climb aboard en route to Jerusalem on 7 June 1967 at Tel Nof

צנחנים בכותל המערבי.jpg|Israeli paratroopers reverently reach the Western Wall on 7 June 1967

IDF Paratroopers unit in an exercise (FL45727370).jpg|Israeli paratroopers are jumping from a Nord Noratlas in 1972

One and a half kilometers west of Tel Nof lies the Paratroopers Main Memorial near National Road 20px, which commemorates those who fell in these units ({{coord|31.842728|34.788440|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Israeli Paratroopers Main Memorial}}).

116357 the paratroopers monument PikiWiki Israel.jpg|Inauguration of the Paratroopers Memorial on Yom HaZikaron 1960

Dan Hadani collection (990044421700205171).jpg|Moshe Dayan lays a wreath at the Paratroopers Memorial in 1969

PikiWiki Israel 67392 tel nof parachutists monument.jpg|The Paratroopers Memorial in 2020 west of Tel Nof at National Road 40

Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers in Training.jpg|Training jump of paratroopers shortly before sunset in May 2010

During the 1948 Palestine War the airbase was handed over by the British and renamed Ekron Airbase by the IDF. First fighter aircraft were stationed. See above under: First Israeli fighter aircraft

During the Suez Crisis in the fall of 1956, Tel Nof was one of three airbases of the IAF, along with Ramat David and Hatzor. From here, Israeli paratroopers took off to capture strategic targets on the Sinai Peninsula. See above under: Paratroopers Brigade

As late as the Six-Day War in June 1967, French fighter jets manufactured by Dassault Aviation played a leading role in the IAF, such as the Mystère IV, the Super Mystère and the Mirage III. Many of these were also stationed at Tel Nof at that time. In the mid-1960s, Israel had commissioned Dassault to build an improved version of the Mirage III that was specifically tailored to the needs of the IAF, as they needed a ground attack aircraft in a desert environment. The first examples of this version, called the Mirage 5, were supposed to be delivered in 1967, but this never happened.

The French-built fighter jets – except the Mirage 5 – are now on display at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase:

Hatzerim 270416 Mystere.jpg|A Dassault Mystère IV A jet of 116 Squadron "Defenders Of The South", based on Tel Nof in the 1960s

Super Mystere Hatzerim 2901101.jpg|Dassault Super Mystère B2 Sambad of 105 Squadron "Scorpion", the only IAF squadron with that aircraft

Dassault Mirage IIICJ (468968546).jpg|A Dassault Mirage IIICJ Shahak, was also flown by 119 Squadron "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in the 1960s

Dassault Mirage 5F, France - Air Force AN1894124.jpg|French Air Force Dassault Mirage 5, of which 50 copies were to be delivered to Israel from 1967

In response to the Six-Day War, the delivery of 50 already produced and largely paid for Dassault Mirage 5 jets to Israel was stopped by French President Charles de Gaulle, as he no longer wanted to supply new offensive weapons to the former ally. After Israeli commando units blew up 14 Lebanese airliners at Beirut Airport on the evening of 28 December 1968 in Operation Gift, using French transport helicopters Super Frelon from Tel Nof and naval boats supplied by France, de Gaulle then imposed a total arms embargo on Israel.{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/nichts-schreiben-a-31bfbbdf-0002-0001-0000-000045845448|title=Naher Osten / de Gaulle: Nichts schreiben|website=Der Spiegel|date=1969-01-12|access-date=2024-08-15|language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/stern-uebermalt-a-91b4878b-0002-0001-0000-000043144624|title=Frankreich: Stern übermalt|website=Der Spiegel|date=1971-11-21|access-date=2024-08-15|language=de}}

When Israel no longer received offensive weapons from France after the Six-Day War, it sought replacements from the United States, as the War of Attrition with Egypt, which began in mid-1968, required considerable resources. Over time, the US provided the IAF with over 250 heavy strike fighter jets of the new F-4E Phantom II Kurnass and RF-4E Orev (R for reconnaissance), which were also stationed in a squadron at Tel Nof. In addition, they delivered around 350 light strike fighter jets A-4H/N Skyhawk Ayit, of which many were based at Tel Nof also. At the beginning of the War of Attrition, the French Dassault Mystère IV and Dassault Mirage III jets could still be used (also from Tel Nof), until their numbers gradually decreased over time due to a lack of spare parts or being shot down.

File:F-4E GivatOlga 081014 01.jpg Kur­nass of 119 Squadron "Bat" at the Giv'at Olga Technoda in Hadera]]

Despite the French arms embargo Tel Nof Airbase had been steadily expanded over the years, and during the Yom Kippur War in October 1973, seven air squadrons operated at the base. While the Six-Day War 1967 was still characterized by French-made fighter aircraft, US ones now dominate.

The seven squadrons at Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War:

• 119 Squadron "Bat" with F-4E Phantom II Kurnass heavy strike fighter jets{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Bat Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190613201105/https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33524-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-13}}
• 115 Squadron "Flying Dragon" with A-4H/N Skyhawk Ayit light strike fighter jets{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33520-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Flying Dragon Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602033055/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33520-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-02}}
• 116 Squadron "Defenders Of The South" with A-4H/N Skyhawk Ayit light strike fighter jets{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33536-he/IAF.aspx|title=Defenders Of The South Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-15|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602033722/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33536-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-02}}
• 118 Squadron "Night Raptors" with CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur heavy transport helicopters{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33510-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Night Raptors Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626120549/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33510-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2017-06-26}}
• 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" with Super Frelon Tzirʿa heavy transport helicopters{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33538-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Night Carriers Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190612081025/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33538-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-06-12}}
• 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" with Bell 205/206 light general-purpose helicopters{{cite web|url=http://iaf.org.il/4968-33516-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Rolling Sword Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170626151808/http://iaf.org.il/4968-33516-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2017-06-26}}
• 103 Squadron "Elephants" with Nord Noratlas transport aircraft{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33521-he/IAF.aspx|title=The Elephants Squadron|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-08-16|language=he|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527220406/http://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33521-he/IAF.aspx|archive-date=2019-05-27}}

The US-made airplanes of that time are now on display at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase:

A Skyhawk fighter taking off (FL61860702).jpg|An RF-4E Phantom II Orev of 119 Squadron "Bat" at Tel Nof Airbase in 1974 just after the Yom Kippur War

I042107 211 (469010027).jpg|A-4N & A-4H Skyhawk Ayit (from left) of 147 Squadron "Goring Ram", sta­tioned in two squadrons at Tel Nof

Yom Kippur War. XXVII.jpg|CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur of 118 Squadron "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof during the Yom Kippur War 1973

4X-FLO Moti Shvimer.jpg|Bell 205/206 and Bell 212 (from left) general-purpose helicopters of 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword"

The total of twelve (or sixteen) Super Frelon Tzirʿa transport helicopters that Israel had received from France before the embargo were stationed in the 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" at Tel Nof from 1966 to 1991 and were retrofitted with more powerful US engines until they were finally all decommissioned. The more than twenty French but German-built and delivered Nord Noratlas transport aircraft of the 103 Squadron "Elephants" at Tel Nof were in service there from 1956 to 1978. Most of them were former machines of the German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe) or were built under license in Germany and handed over or delivered to Israel from the early 1960s.

Meitar Collection (997009452057605171) 16-9.jpg|A French-made Super Frelon Tzirʿa transport helicopter of 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" during the 1960s

Aerospatiale Sid-Aviation SA-321K Super-Frelon Helicopter (468949900).jpg|A Super Frelon transport helicopter, later with US-made engines, at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase

026 מלחמת ששת הימים.jpg|A Nord Noratlas transport aircraft of 103 Squadron "Elephants" (see nose) during the Six-Day War in June 1967

Hatzerim 310313 Nord.jpg|A French but German-built Nord Noratlas transport aircraft of 103 Squadron "Elephants"

File:Israeli attacks on Yemen, September 2024. XXV.jpg "Knights Of The Twin Tail" at Tel Nof, all of which can also attack ground targets, before retaliatory strikes on Yemen at the end of September 2024]]

From 1976, the then new F-15A/B Eagle Baz fighter jets were introduced with 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail", which made Israel the first country in the world outside the United States to possess this aircraft. Because the landing of the first three planes was delayed on that Friday, 10 December 1976, the reception ceremony was also delayed and only ended shortly before the beginning of Shabbat. As a result, some government ministers didn't have enough time to return home before the start of Shabbat. Its "desecration" led to a government crisis and ultimately to the collapse of the coalition of the first government of Yitzhak Rabin.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/once-it-was-f-15s-on-shabbat-now-hametz-the-religious-issues-that-end-governments/|title=Once it was F-15s on Shabbat; now, hametz: The religious issues that end governments|website=The Times Of Israel|date=2022-04-11|access-date=2024-10-13}}

Not long after receiving the first F-15 aircraft, Israel began to upgrade and convert these jets, which were originally built for air combat only, for use against ground targets also. This was done with both the single-seat A and C variants, as well as the two-seat B and D trainer versions, where the flight instructor's seat was converted to that of the navigator (Israeli designation) or WSO (see photo of converted F-15C/D jets to the right above).

In June 1982, with the reopening of the 106 Squadron "Spearhead", a second squadron of improved F-15C/D Baz fighter jets was introduced at Tel Nof. Both F-15 squadrons still exist today, and from 2029 they will receive the latest variant F-15IA (Israel Advanced), which is based on the F-15EX Eagle II of the US Air Force (see photo of an F-15EX in gallery below).{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/israel-officially-cleared-to-buy-50-new-f-15ias-upgrade-25-f-15is|title=Israel Officially Cleared To Buy 50 New F-15IAs, Upgrade 25 F-15Is|website=The War Zone|date=2024-08-14|access-date=2024-08-14}}

It is assumed (e.g. by the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists) that Israel is in possession of nuclear weapons since the late 1960s and that they are stored at some point at Tel Nof in a specially secured area (presumably here: {{coord|31.847892|34.814606|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Tel Nof Airbase?}}) near a weapons load station and at the neighboring Sdot Micha Airbase in bunkers (presumably here: {{coord|31.755783|34.917572|format=dms|region:IL_type:landmark|name=Nuclear weapons bunker at the Sdot Micha Airbase?}}) near the positions of Jericho missiles.{{cite web|url=https://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/392/|title=Tel Nof Airbase – Facilities – NTI|website=Nuclear Threat Initiative|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}{{cite web|url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/tel_nof.htm|title=Tel Nof / Tel Nov - Israel Airfields |website=GlobalSecurity.org|date=|access-date=2020-04-13}}{{cite web|url=https://www.spiegel.de/politik/das-phantom-von-dimona-a-bc50e085-0002-0001-0000-000029787350|title=The Phantom of Dimona|website=Spiegel-Online|date=2004-01-25|access-date=2024-02-24|language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/00963402.2021.2014239?needAccess=true|title=Israeli nuclear weapons, 2021|website=Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists 2022|date=|access-date=2023-12-23}} Strike fighter jets that can carry such weapons over long distances, such as the F-15 Eagle today (see gallery below) and the F-4E Phantom II (see picture above), have been on alert at the base around the clock since the 1970s, when the first Phantoms were stationed there in the 119 Squadron "Bat". This form of deterrence was one of the lessons that Israel learned from the wars with its neighbors, even though the country has not yet admitted that it has nuclear weapons.

On 1 October 1985, under the name Operation Wooden Leg, eight two-seat F-15B/D Eagle Baz from Tel Nof attacked the headquarters of the PLO near Tunis. On their 2,300 km long flight to the destination on the Mediterranean coast of Tunisia the F-15s were refueled several times by two Boeing 707 Re'em. The headquarters were completely destroyed and – depending on the source – 50 to 75 PLO fighters were killed, including many leaders, but not Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. The action was condemned without dissent in the UNO, and the USA also criticized it because it strained its relationship with Tunisia. The eight F-15 jets from Tel Nof involved received a corresponding symbol (target cross in the red circle with a blue wooden leg, see picture in the gallery below).{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112140504/https://www.iaf.org.il/5642-46126-en/IAF.aspx|title=The Long Leg|website=WayBack-Machine: IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2024-03-02}}

F-15A-hatzerim-2.jpg|One of the first F-15A Eagle Baz of 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" at the IAF Museum near Hatzerim Airbase in 2006

IAF McDonnell Douglas F-15D Improved Baz Yad Ha Nefetz (Shatterhand) with Operation 'Wooden Leg' success marking.jpg|An F-15D Eagle Baz from Tel Nof involved in Operation Wooden Leg with blue wooden leg symbol (left to the Star of David) in 2015

IAF-F-15I-Raam--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-162.jpg|The F-15I Eagle Ra'am #201 of the Flight Test Center Manat at Tel Nof (see special symbol on tail) during an exhibition in 2017

F-15EX Eagle II.jpg|From 2029, fifty F-15IAs, based on the USAF's new F-15EX Eagle II, will replace the aging F-15A/B/C/D Baz at Tel Nof

Today (2025), Tel Nof is home to two strike fighter jet and two transport helicopter squadrons as well as a drone squadron. Also located there is the Flight Test Center Manat with one example of all aircraft variants (see F-15I Eagle Ra'am in the gallery above and F-35I Adir in the gallery under "Units"). Several special units of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are also located there, including Unit 669 heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and the training center for the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade.

• Since January 2019, the so-called "Red Baron" Squadron has been operating at Tel Nof to train Israeli and German soldiers on the IAI Eitan (Heron TP) UAV. IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) has built its own version of this UAV for the German Air Force, whose crews are now being trained by Israeli soldiers and technicians. This unit is the only non-fully Israeli squadron within the IAF.{{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9283-52268-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF Squadron that trains German Crews|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-07-02|access-date=2023-09-25}}

• In November 2020, a brand-new F-35I Adir from the USA landed directly at Tel Nov. This specially equipped machine will serve as a test platform at the local Flight Test Center Manat for further improvement of this stealth jet (see gallery under "Units").{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9291-52545-en/IAF.aspx|title=Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental "Adir"|website=IAF-Website|date=2020-11-11|access-date=2023-08-25}}

• At the end of 2021, Israel ordered twelve new CH-53K King Stallion Wild transport helicopters from the US for two billion dollars, which will complement the CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur at Tel Nof in the next few years. In July 2023, the 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" was temporarily closed and merged with the 118 Squadron "Night Raptors". The former will reopen in the future and accommodate the new CH-53K King Stallion as they arrive from the United States (see gallery under "Units").{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9324-52776-en/IAF.aspx|title=The IAF's Future Helicopter|website=IAF-Website|date=2021-02-25|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/erster-exporterfolg-fuer-sikorsky-israel-waehlt-ch-53k/|title=Israel wählt CH-53K|website=Flugrevue|date=2021-02-26|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flugrevue.de/ruestungsbeschaffungen-mit-us-geld-israel-unterschreibt-fuer-ch-53k-und-kc-46a/|title=Israel unterschreibt für CH-53K und KC-46A|website=Flugrevue|date=2022-01-01|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57288-he/IAF.aspx|title=End of period - 114th Squadron merged with 118th Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-05|access-date=2023-09-25}} Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky will also incorporate advanced Israeli systems into the new CH-53K helicopters to ensure they are optimally adapted to the requirements of the IAF.{{cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/64702|title=The Air Force is Renewing: New "Wild" Helicopters Will Incorporate Advanced Israeli Systems|website=Israel Defense|date=2025-03-25|access-date=2025-03-25|language=he}}

• The aging F-15A/B/C/D Eagle Baz fighter jets at Tel Nof will be replaced in the medium term by new F-15IA (Israel Advanced), which are based on the F-15EX Eagle II. 25 new jets for one squadron have been ordered with the option for 25 more, which will be delivered from 2029. These new, powerful strike fighter jets would be needed to carry heavy bunker-busting bombs that could then be used against Iran's underground nuclear facilities.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-boeing-official-in-israel-to-push-sale-of-advanced-f-15-jets-for-iran-strike/|title=Senior Boeing official in Israel to push sale of advanced F-15 jets for Iran strike|website=The Times Of Israel|date=2023-02-20|access-date=2023-10-13}}{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/f-15-sale-to-israel-reportedly-ready-to-close-will-gaza-change-that|title=F-15 Sale To Israel Reportedly Ready To Close, Will Gaza Change That?|website=The War Zone|date=2024-04-03|access-date=2024-04-04}} At the same time, at the Hatzerim Airbase 70 kilometers to the south, the 25 F-15I Ra'am jets there are being brought up to the latest F-15I+ standard through fundamental updates.{{cite web|url=https://www.twz.com/air/israel-executes-long-awaited-buy-of-f-15ia-advanced-eagle-fighters|title=Israel Executes Long Awaited Buy Of F-15IA Advanced Eagle Fighters|website=The War Zone|date=2024-11-07|access-date=2024-11-07}}{{cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/63547|title=Contract signed to purchase 25 modern F-15IA aircraft from Boeing|website=Israel Defense|date=2024-11-09|access-date=2024-11-09|language=he}}

• During the Gaza War 2023/24, drones of the type IAI Eitan (Heron TP) from Tel Nof were 24 hours a day in the air over Gaza to provide the IDF with target data for its attacks against positions of Hamas.{{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}} According to unofficial sources, these drones are also capable of attacking targets on the ground using guided weapons.

• In the Iranian strikes against Israel on 1 October 2024, 32 missiles hit the Nevatim Airbase.{{Cite news |date=4 October 2024 |title=Iranian Missiles Overwhelmed Israeli Defenses at Some Sites, Analysts Say |url=https://archive.today/20241004183209/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-missiles-israel-overwhelm-defence-a7cbd9af |work=The Wall Street Journal}} Other main targets were the Tel Nof Airbase, the Mossad headquarters and the Glilot base of the Military Intelligence Unit 8200 both north of Tel Aviv. Independent researchers who examined emerging satellite imagery said, it has caused only limited damage.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2024 |title=Iran cites international law as justification for attack on Israel as regional tensions flare |url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/10/iran-cites-international-law-as-justification-for-israel-attack-as-regional-tensions-flare/ |access-date=2 October 2024 |website=www.jurist.org |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=3 October 2024 |title=Iran Exposed to Israeli Counterattack After Blows Against Its Allies |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-exposed-to-israeli-counterattack-after-blows-against-its-allies-4c65e888?mod=hp_lead_pos2 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}

IAF 669 Unit Patch.png|The badge of Unit 669 heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), nicknamed "Flying Cats"

Red Baron Squadron Tag.svg|The badge of the Israeli-German "Red Baron" Squadron at Tel Nof for training on the IAI Eitan UAV

ATC tower in Tel Nof IAF base.jpg|ATC Tower at Tel Nof Airbase with a CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur helicopter flying by

Tat aluf Tomer Bar, April 2022. V.jpg|Aluf Tomer Bar (right) takes command of the IAF at Tel Nof in April 2022

• 106 Squadron "Spearhead" – operating F-15C/D Eagle Baz
• 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" – temporarily closed until new CH-53K King Stallion Wild arrive from the US
• 118 Squadron "Night Raptors" – operating CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur
• 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" – operating F-15C/D Eagle Baz{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33505-en/IAF.aspx|title=Knights Of The Twin Tail Squadron|website=IAF-Website|date=|access-date=2023-09-25}}
• 210 Squadron "White Eagle" – operating IAI Eitan UAVs{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4428-46031-en/IAF.aspx|title="White Eagle" Squadron Looking Ahead|website=IAF-Website|date=2015-12-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9204-53572-en/IAF.aspx|title=The 210th Squadron Turns 10|website=IAF-Website|date=2011-08-12|access-date=2023-09-25}}
• 5601 Squadron "Flight Test Center" Manat – operating examples of all IAF aircraft{{cite web|url=https://www.pbase.com/xnir/flight_test_center&page=1|title=IAF Flight Test Center Photo Gallery|website=xnir on pbase.com|date=2006-12-07|access-date=2024-11-09}}
• Unit 555 "Sky Crows" – for Electronic Warfare (EW){{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Magazine/Features/And-they-struck-them-with-blindness|title=And they struck them with blindness|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=2010-09-29|access-date=2023-09-25}}
• Unit 669 "Flying Cats" – heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) (at Palmachim also){{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/unit-669/|title=Unit 669|website=IDF-Website|date=2021-12-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iaf.org.il/4460-49224-en/IAF.aspx|title=A Rare Peek into SAR Unit 669|website=IAF-Website|date=2017-05-01|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9616-57380-en/IAF.aspx|title=Officially Cats: End of 669 Course|website=IAF-Website|date=2023-07-13|access-date=2023-09-26}}
• Unit 888 "Refaim" – combined special operations task force{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%d7%9b%d7%aa%d7%91%d7%95%d7%aa-%d7%95%d7%a2%d7%93%d7%9b%d7%95%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%9d/2020/%d7%94%d7%99%d7%97%d7%99%d7%93%d7%94-%d7%94%d7%a8%d7%91-%d7%9e%d7%9e%d7%93%d7%99%d7%aa/|title=Such a unit has not existed in the IDF - until today|website=IDF website|date=2020-01-01|access-date=2023-11-08|language=he}}
• Paratroopers Brigade Training Center
• "Red Baron" Squadron – to train Israeli and German crews on the Heron TP Eitan UAV

McDonnell Douglas F-15D-27-MC Eagle ‘980’ (48644576832).jpg|An F-15D Eagle Baz two-seater of 106 Squadron "Spearhead" about to land at Tel Nof

Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion, ILA 2018, Schönefeld (1X7A6778).jpg|CH-53K King Stallion Wild will be based on Tel Nof in 114 Squadron "Night Carriers" in the next years

120516 Independence Flypast CH-53 01.jpg|CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur of 118 Squadron "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof

IAF-F-15C-Baz--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-082.jpg|A single-seat F-15C Eagle Baz of 133 Squadron "Knights Of The Twin Tail" with four Syrian "Kill Marks"

IAF-Eitan--Independence-Day-2017-Tel-Nof-IZE-099.jpg|An IAI Eitan UAV of 210 Squadron "White Eagle" (see tail) from Tel Nof

The Israeli Flight Testing Center Receives First Experimental «Adir». X.jpg|The Tel Nof Flight Test Center Manat gets a special F-35I Adir in 2020

Orvey-Shakim-unit-IAF.png|Shoulder patch of Unit 555 "Sky Crows" for Electronic Warfare (EW) at Tel Nof

Hatzerim 280616 Yasur 01.jpg|The Unit 669 trains the rescue of people with a CH-53D Sea Stallion Yas'ur from Tel Nof

IDF Multidimensional Unit change of command ceremony, July 2021. I.jpg|Change of command of the multi­dimensional Unit 888 "Refaim" in July 2021 at Tel Nof

Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Paratroopers Over Southern Israel.jpg|Paratroopers rain down over southern Israel in March 2012

Red Baron Squadron. I.jpg|The Israeli-German "Red Baron" Squadron for UAV training was inaugurated at Tel Nof in 2019

Note: IAF aircraft can usually be assigned to their squadron by the symbols on the tail

• On 4 July 1948, engine No. 1 (left) of a Curtiss C-46 Commando of the Israeli Air Force (aircraft registration RX-133) caught fire during start-up at what would later become the Tel Nof Airbase. Apparently, fuel had leaked onto the left wing during the refueling process with a manual fuel pump. The fire was extinguished, but the aircraft suffered significant damage to the left side of the fuselage, leaving it irreparably damaged. No one was injured.[https://asn.flightsafety.org/wikibase/336673 Accident report C-46 RX-133], Aviation Safety Network, accessed on 12 January 2025. See also picture of an Israeli C-46 Commando above under First cargo aircraft.

File:4X-FAE.jpg in the Israeli Air Force Museum]]

• On 29 April 1964, a Nord Noratlas 2501D of 103 Squadron "Elephants" from Tel Nof (aircraft registration 4X-FAD/044) was flown into a mountain near Ramon Airbase. In this CFIT (Controlled flight into terrain), all 9 occupants were killed, the two pilots and the 7 passengers. It was the former GC+231 of the German Air Force (Deutsche Luftwaffe).{{ASN accident|id=19640429-1|type=|title=Noratlas 4X-FAD/044|access-date=2023-09-26}} See also pictures of an identical Nord Noratlas above under Yom Kippur War and to the right.

• On 19 April 1974, two CH-53 helicopters from Tel Nof collided over the Rosh Pina Airport in northern Israel. One of the two helicopters was able to land safely, while the other crashed and burst into flames. All eight IDF soldiers on board died. The IAF determined that the cause was human error on the part of one of the pilots, although several helicopters were landing at the same time and the air traffic controller was obviously overwhelmed.{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528011552/http://www.iaf.org.il:80/3657-4989-he/IAF.aspx|title=Two Yas'ur helicopters collide while landing in Mahanayim|website=IAF Website|date=1974-04-19|access-date=2024-11-10|language=he}}

• On 10 May 1977, a CH-53 helicopter from Tel Nof crashed during a night training exercise in the Jordan Valley, killing all 54 people on board (including the 10-man crew), making it the worst single-aircraft crash in Israel. The crash site was in the West Bank, about 5 kilometers north of Jericho in a wadi. The cause was determined to be flying at too low an altitude during the dark, which caused the helicopter to strike a hill, crash and explode (CFIT, Controlled flight into terrain).{{cite web|url=https://www.jta.org/archive/judge-blames-pilot-for-helicopter-crash-in-which-54-israelis-died|title=Judge Blames Pilot for Helicopter Crash in Which 54 Israelis Died|website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency|date=1977-07-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yv8LAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S1gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6577,2025995&dq=israel+sikorsky+crash|title=Air Crash - Copter Falls Killing 54 Israeli Soldiers|website=The Evening Independent|date=1977-05-11|access-date=2024-10-14}}

File:2024-10-26 Israeli strikes on Iran, F-15D -957 before the attack 2.jpg Baz #957 before the Israeli attack on Iran during the night of 25-26 October 2024]]

• {{see also|1983 Negev mid-air collision}} In May 1983, an F-15D Eagle Baz #957 from Tel Nov and an A-4 Skyhawk Ayit collided in mid-air during an exercise over the Negev desert in southern Israel. While the A-4 pilot ejected, the two-seat F-15D managed to land safely at nearby Ramon Airbase, despite having its right wing almost completely torn off in the collision. This was only possible because the F-15 pilot turned on the afterburners, compensating for the lack of lift. The landing took place at about twice the normal speed, and the jet only came to a stop shortly before the end of the runway. The aircraft manufacturer McDonnell Douglas was so impressed by what was happening that it sent over a new right wing free of charge. The aircraft with the number 957 was repaired and put back into service.{{cite web|url=https://theaviationist.com/2014/09/15/f-15-lands-with-one-wing/|title=How an Israeli F-15 Eagle managed to land with one wing|website=theaviationist.com|date=2014-09-15|access-date=2023-09-25}}{{cite web|url=http://www.uss-bennington.org/phz-nowing-f15.html|title=CREW'S STORIES: NO WING F15|website=uss-bennington.org|date=2001-08-09|access-date=2024-02-23}} More than 41 years later it took part in the October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran (see photo on the right).{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99-%D7%99%D7%97%D7%99%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9E%D7%9F-%D7%94%D7%9E%D7%9C%D7%97%D7%9E%D7%94/%D7%9B%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%AA%D7%91%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%94%D7%A4%D7%A6%D7%95%D7%AA/%D7%9E%D7%91%D7%A6%D7%A2-%D7%99%D7%9E%D7%99-%D7%AA%D7%A9%D7%95%D7%91%D7%94-%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%9E%D7%94-%D7%A9%D7%A7%D7%A8%D7%94-%D7%91%D7%9E%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%9A-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9C%D7%94/|title=This is what happened during the night of the attack in Iran|website=IDF-Website|date=2024-10-26|access-date=2024-11-12|language=he}}

• {{see also|1997 Israeli helicopter disaster}} On 4 February 1997, two CH-53 Sea Stallion Ya'sur helicopters of 118 Squadron "Night Raptors" from Tel Nof collided in the evening hours over northern Israel while they were carrying soldiers into the Israeli security zone in Southern Lebanon. Both planes crashed, killing all 73 people on board - all male military personnel. The two crash sites were located in the Moshav She'ar Yashuv (Today's memorial: {{coord|33.222984|35.641142|format=dms|region:IL-HA_type:landmark|name=Memorial of the 1997 helicopter crash}}) and in an open field near the Kibbutz Dafna. The crash, which represents the worst Israeli aviation disaster to date, sparked nationwide mourning and is considered one of the main reasons for Israel's decision to withdraw from Southern Lebanon in 2000.{{cite web|url=https://www.israelnetz.com/wie-eine-decke-ueber-dem-land/|title=Helicopter accident 25 years ago - “Like a blanket over the country”|website=Israelnetz|date=2022-02-04|access-date=2023-09-25|language=de}} The cause of the accident is believed to be that the two helicopter pilots lost visual contact and orientation with each other as they flew towards the border of Lebanon in the dark with their lights switched off as required.

אסון המסוקים 1.jpg|Remains of one of the two crashed CH-53 helicopters at She'ar Yashuv

1997 Israeli helicopter disaster VI.jpg|Debris of the second crashed CH-53 helicopter near Dafna

גופות חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Rescue and transport of victims of the two helicopter crashes

1997 Israeli helicopter disaster funeral.jpg|Funeral of one of the victims with great sympathy

חללי אסון המסוקים.jpg|Portrait photos of all 73 victims of the accident

PikiWiki Israel 35104 1997 helicopter disaster memorial in Migdal Haeme.JPG|Memorial in Migdal HaEmek

PikiWiki Israel 75589 helicopter disaster monument.jpg|Memorial in She'ar Yashuv, one of the two crash sites

File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Yasur Crash Site, Romania.jpg

• On 26 July 2010, a CH-53 helicopter of 118 Squadron from Tel Nof crashed near the town of Brașov in Romania during a Romanian-Israeli military exercise in the Carpathian Mountains. All seven passengers died: four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics and a Romanian liaison officer. An investigation determined that the crash was most likely due to human error.{{cite web|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3925489,00.html|title=IDF soldiers killed in Romania helicopter crash|website=ynetnews.com|date=2010-07-27|access-date=2023-09-25}}

• Israeli Air Force
• List of former Royal Air Force stations
• Nuclear weapons and Israel

{{reflist}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book |last1=Jefford |first1=C. G. |title= RAF Squadrons. A comprehensive record of the movement and equipment of all RAF squadrons and their antecedents since 1912 |year=1988 |publisher= Airlife |location= Shrewsbury |isbn= 1-85310-053-6 }}
• {{cite book|first1=Major-General I.S.O.|last1=Playfair|author-link1=Ian Stanley Ord Playfair|last3= with Flynn|first3=Captain F.C. (R.N.)|last2=Molony|first2=Brigadier C.J.C.|last4=Gleave|first4= Group Captain T.P.|editor-last=Butler|editor-first=Sir James|editor-link=James Ramsay Montagu Butler|series=History of the Second World War, United Kingdom Military Series|title=The Mediterranean and Middle East, Volume I: The Early Successes Against Italy, to May 1941|publisher= Naval & Military Press|location=Uckfield, UK|year=2009|orig-year=1st. pub. HMSO:1954|isbn= 978-1-84574-065-8|name-list-style=amp}}
• {{cite book |last1=Sturtivant|first1=R.|last2=Hamlin|first2=J.|title=Royal Air Force flying training and support units since 1912 |year=2007 |publisher= Air-Britain (Historians)|location= UK|isbn=978-0851-3036-59}}

{{refend}}

{{Commons category|Tel Nof IAF base}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060520220708/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/israel/iafbase.htm Aeroflight World Airforces]
• [http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Palestine/raf.htm The RAF in Palestine] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070806173607/http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Palestine/raf.htm |date=6 August 2007 }}

{{Israeli Air Force}}

Category:Airports in Israel

Category:Israeli Air Force bases

Category:World War II airfields in Mandatory Palestine