November 13, 2022

23 New Officers Join the Aerial Defense Array

The ceremony to mark the conclusion of the Aerial Defense Array’s Officers Course was held this evening (Sunday). The ceremony was led by the IAF’s Chief of Air Staff, Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim, the Commanding Officer of the Aerial Defense Array, Brig. Gen. Gilad Biran, the Commandant of the Aerial Defense Training School, Col. Kobi Regev, additional commanders and the families of the cadets. During the ceremony, the cadets of the Aerial Defense Array received their new ranks and the new combat officers received the array’s pins.

As part of the course, the cadets studied in the Ballistic Image Management Center and were trained in accordance with the array’s four aerial defense systems: Iron Dome, David's Sling, Arrow, and Yahalom. The cadets also studied and specialized in the process of interception and experimented with deploying the array’s batteries in various scenarios. The officers will join the Aerial Defense Array following the conclusion of the course.

The Aerial Defense Array is an operational array whose task is to defend the Israeli home front and the strategic assets of the State of Israel in the face of various threats. The array does so in order to maintain the functionality of the IDF in routine and emergency scenarios.

Chief of Air Staff, Brig. Gen. Eyal Grinboim:
“We are operating against aerial and space threats to achieve aerial security in an air force that values precision, organizational culture, strength and responsibility. You, the people of the Aerial Defense Array, are leading this effort from the forefront. Your mission will not be easy; the complexity and responsibility required are increasing. It therefore obligates you, the new generation of commanders - to be sharp, precise, professional, driven and courageous. These characteristics are what led you to volunteer for the array, and they are also the characteristics that led you to become officers.”

Commanding Officer of the Aerial Defense Array, Brig. Gen. Gilad Biran:
“You are standing before me at an aerial defense base in the heart of the Negev. You chose to volunteer and serve a meaningful service, to make an effort, overcome challenges, guide and lead. At a time when aerial threats against the State of Israel are intensifying and aerial defense is becoming increasingly important to maintain national security, you are given the privilege and duty to lead soldiers toward the mission of defending the skies of our home."