117 Squadron (Israel)

117 Squadron
טייסת הסילון הראשונה
First Jet Squadron
Active	1953-2020; 2021-
Disbanded	September 2020 - as active Air Defense squadron; reestablished July 2021 as training squadron
Country	Israel
Branch	Israeli Air Force
Role	F-35I training (2021-); Air Defense (1953-2020)
Garrison/HQ	Nevatim Airbase (2021-); Ramat David Airbase (1953-2020)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-35I (current); F-16C (previous); Gloster Meteor (first)

Four Israeli fighter pilots walking in front of their Gloster Meteor F.8 jets of 117 Squadron "First Jet" in 1953 or somewhat later at Ramat David Airbase

The 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), also known as the First Jet Squadron, is initially a training squadron for F-35I Adir fighter pilots, based at Nevatim Airbase.[1]

History

Before it closed in September 2020 after 67 years of service,[1] the 117th was an F-16C fighter squadron based at Ramat David Airbase.[2] The squadron was openend there on 17 June 1953 and operated Israel's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, flying the T.7 (two-seat trainer), F.8 (fighter) and FR.9 (reconnaissance) variants.[3]

In July 2021, Airforce Technology reported that the Israeli Air Force had re-established the 117 Squadron "First Jet" as a training squadron in the IAF's F-35I Adir division, based at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. It will become an operational squadron as soon as there are enough jets arrived from the US.[1]

• 
  Opening ceremony of the 117 Squadron on 17 June 1953 at Ramat David Airbase
• 
  The reopening of the 117 Squadron on 1 July 2021 at Nevatim Airbase with F-35I Adir jets

References

1. "Israeli Air Force re-establishes 117th Squadron as F-35I training squadron". www.airforce-technology.com. 6 July 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
2. "117 Squadron - The First Jet". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
3. "Gloster Meteor". www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org. Retrieved 7 October 2021.