June 27, 2024
The Chief of the General Staff's Speech at the 188th Israeli Air Force (IAF)
Pilots Course Graduation Ceremony
Pilots Course Graduation Ceremony
Commanders, dear families, graduates of the 188th pilot course. I want to begin my remarks by addressing you, the family members, and especially the parents. Thank you! Many young people aspire to reach this moment, but only a few succeed. You, the parents, have played a significant role in their education, guidance, and support; you have much to be proud of. Remember this moment and cherish it. It marks the beginning of a path on which many walk to defend the State of Israel, with dedication and perseverance. Without compromise – a path that is just.
Dear graduates, you are completing excellent training in a highly esteemed corps. Just this past April, numerous and diverse warheads were launched at Israel from Iran and other places. The way the Israeli Air Force operated in defense, protection, and offense is an example and a model of quality action, relying entirely on human excellence.
The IAF today, under the command of Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, serves as a significant and crucial team player in the IDF team. In combat in Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza - the IAF strikes with very high-quality joint operations and a powerful combination of capabilities that was unlike any before with the ground forces.
In one of my visits to the combat zone in Khan Yunis, I saw a Black Hawk helicopter crossing the area for the purpose of evacuating the wounded. In the middle of the day, flying at a very low altitude, facing numerous threats. From my vantage point, by the nose of the helicopter, I noticed the pilots' determination.
After they collected the wounded, on their return flight, I observed the movements of the technical and medical teams aboard the helicopter, and in the two short seconds I had, their dedication and professionalism were apparent to me. How many lives were saved thanks to these. We see this same dedication and professionalism from the early days of the State of Israel. Since its founding, the IAF has operated with initiative, determination, and courage, serving as a central pillar of the IDF. In the current war, we witness this more than ever before.
Days before the war broke out, I finished reading the book "Avi Lanir - A Short Life Story." Avi, a talented and brave pilot, fell captive in Syria during the Yom Kippur War and was tortured to death. I recommend to you, graduates of the course, to read the book. It contains an important lesson. More than one lesson from a man who knew humility, a pilot who understood that even when flying high and above the speed of sound - you still remain vulnerable. Those who do not remember this become more vulnerable. Avi was a commander of people; this is how he is remembered to this day: a pilot who knew that everything he did was in front of a machine, but his successes were credited to the people around him.
The day before his plane was shot down, Avi shot down a MiG that attacked our ground forces in the Golan Heights, causing many casualties until it was shot down. After his plane was shot down, his squadron mates wondered why Avi had ventured so deep into such a dangerous area. This is how it was written: "First, the simple human reason. He experienced the day of yesterday. It was clear to him that the MiGs coming from the east must be shot down before they could attack our forces. A moment for humility in the face of reality."
As then – so too today, fifty years later, and even more so since October 7th – we have reasons! We have reasons to fight and take risks, and at their core is the right of the people of Israel in their land.
We have lost many, soldiers and commanders, who fought bravely and with self-sacrifice alongside us. The cost has been heavy, but the goal is worthy beyond measure: to dismantle the Hamas terrorist organization, to eliminate its operatives, to destroy its infrastructure, and to not allow the continuation of its rule. To bring back the hostages, to return the Israeli evacuees safely to their homes in the north and south, with renewed construction and prosperity; we are committed to the path of determination and perseverance, and we must do everything to prevent any threat to our lives here.
About a week ago, I met with the dear people of Nir Oz. We toured the kibbutz, house by house. Time froze on October 7th, and the difficult scenes are etched together with the words, the stories, and the pain.
As the tour was nearing its end, I asked a kibbutz member who was there on October 7th what he thought this place would be like in five years. He took a breath, thought for a moment, and confidently answered: the kibbutz will be more beautiful than ever before, better built, and with wonderful people. And I thought to myself: after all the military achievements, this will be the true victory, not before we fulfill our responsibility to investigate, study and bring about the security situation that will allow this.
Dear commanders instructors, many times I've thought about your responsibility to guide a cadet to their solo flight, a great responsibility. You set the standards from which the IAF launches with excellence. I thank you. You have a significant role in shaping the rows of cadets standing before us today.
Dear graduates, time and time again you have proven yourselves worthy to be pilots in the Israeli Air Force, It is a great honor and responsibility. As you continue on this path, I expect you to lead, to guide, and to execute every mission with professionalism, humility, and dedication. I am very proud of you for the journey you have completed so far, and even more so - of the one you are still prepared to undertake.
I meet with the air and ground teams, before and after missions. We send the IAF on complex missions primarily because we trust the people. From today, I trust you too.
Take flight, execute the missions, and return home safely.
Rise and succeed.
Dear graduates, you are completing excellent training in a highly esteemed corps. Just this past April, numerous and diverse warheads were launched at Israel from Iran and other places. The way the Israeli Air Force operated in defense, protection, and offense is an example and a model of quality action, relying entirely on human excellence.
The IAF today, under the command of Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, serves as a significant and crucial team player in the IDF team. In combat in Lebanon, Judea and Samaria, and Gaza - the IAF strikes with very high-quality joint operations and a powerful combination of capabilities that was unlike any before with the ground forces.
In one of my visits to the combat zone in Khan Yunis, I saw a Black Hawk helicopter crossing the area for the purpose of evacuating the wounded. In the middle of the day, flying at a very low altitude, facing numerous threats. From my vantage point, by the nose of the helicopter, I noticed the pilots' determination.
After they collected the wounded, on their return flight, I observed the movements of the technical and medical teams aboard the helicopter, and in the two short seconds I had, their dedication and professionalism were apparent to me. How many lives were saved thanks to these. We see this same dedication and professionalism from the early days of the State of Israel. Since its founding, the IAF has operated with initiative, determination, and courage, serving as a central pillar of the IDF. In the current war, we witness this more than ever before.
Days before the war broke out, I finished reading the book "Avi Lanir - A Short Life Story." Avi, a talented and brave pilot, fell captive in Syria during the Yom Kippur War and was tortured to death. I recommend to you, graduates of the course, to read the book. It contains an important lesson. More than one lesson from a man who knew humility, a pilot who understood that even when flying high and above the speed of sound - you still remain vulnerable. Those who do not remember this become more vulnerable. Avi was a commander of people; this is how he is remembered to this day: a pilot who knew that everything he did was in front of a machine, but his successes were credited to the people around him.
The day before his plane was shot down, Avi shot down a MiG that attacked our ground forces in the Golan Heights, causing many casualties until it was shot down. After his plane was shot down, his squadron mates wondered why Avi had ventured so deep into such a dangerous area. This is how it was written: "First, the simple human reason. He experienced the day of yesterday. It was clear to him that the MiGs coming from the east must be shot down before they could attack our forces. A moment for humility in the face of reality."
As then – so too today, fifty years later, and even more so since October 7th – we have reasons! We have reasons to fight and take risks, and at their core is the right of the people of Israel in their land.
We have lost many, soldiers and commanders, who fought bravely and with self-sacrifice alongside us. The cost has been heavy, but the goal is worthy beyond measure: to dismantle the Hamas terrorist organization, to eliminate its operatives, to destroy its infrastructure, and to not allow the continuation of its rule. To bring back the hostages, to return the Israeli evacuees safely to their homes in the north and south, with renewed construction and prosperity; we are committed to the path of determination and perseverance, and we must do everything to prevent any threat to our lives here.
About a week ago, I met with the dear people of Nir Oz. We toured the kibbutz, house by house. Time froze on October 7th, and the difficult scenes are etched together with the words, the stories, and the pain.
As the tour was nearing its end, I asked a kibbutz member who was there on October 7th what he thought this place would be like in five years. He took a breath, thought for a moment, and confidently answered: the kibbutz will be more beautiful than ever before, better built, and with wonderful people. And I thought to myself: after all the military achievements, this will be the true victory, not before we fulfill our responsibility to investigate, study and bring about the security situation that will allow this.
Dear commanders instructors, many times I've thought about your responsibility to guide a cadet to their solo flight, a great responsibility. You set the standards from which the IAF launches with excellence. I thank you. You have a significant role in shaping the rows of cadets standing before us today.
Dear graduates, time and time again you have proven yourselves worthy to be pilots in the Israeli Air Force, It is a great honor and responsibility. As you continue on this path, I expect you to lead, to guide, and to execute every mission with professionalism, humility, and dedication. I am very proud of you for the journey you have completed so far, and even more so - of the one you are still prepared to undertake.
I meet with the air and ground teams, before and after missions. We send the IAF on complex missions primarily because we trust the people. From today, I trust you too.
Take flight, execute the missions, and return home safely.
Rise and succeed.
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