At an emotional graduation ceremony for the Israeli Air Force’s 190th flight course on Thursday, senior military leaders celebrated the new class of pilots and navigators and the recent success of “Operation Rising Lion.” Officials said that the deep, coordinated strike on Iranian targets marked a turning point in Israel’s ongoing war with its regional enemies.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir described the operation as “a historic achievement, not merely a military success.” Speaking to the 37 graduates, military families and government officials at the ceremony held at the Israeli Air Force Museum at Hatzerim Airbase near Beersheva, Zamir emphasized that the mission represented the full spectrum of the Israeli spirit: courage, skill, faith in justice, and relentless preparation.
An entire nation looked to the skies,” he said, “not only to see the might of our planes, but to believe again in itself.” The operation, conducted three weeks earlier, struck deep into Iranian territory. Zamir noted that the mission was built not on the day of takeoff, but in long nights of planning sessions where hard questions were asked: “Is it possible? Are we ready?” (Read More)
