IAF pilot rescued by Cobra

[Tymi]

From israeli-weapons.com :
"In October 1986, during a routine attack in Lebanon, an IAF Phantom was damaged as a result of a technical malfunction. The crew - pilot Maj. Aviram, and the WSO, Maj. Ron Arad, had no choice but to bail out. Maj. Aviram was rescued in a daring operation by a Cobra helicopter, in which he hung on to the chopper's landing gear. Ron Arad was taken captive."

Can anyone tell me more about that ? Sounds like a pretty wild ride !

[hist2004]

From israeli-weapons.com :
"In October 1986, during a routine attack in Lebanon, an IAF Phantom was damaged as a result of a technical malfunction. The crew - pilot Maj. Aviram, and the WSO, Maj. Ron Arad, had no choice but to bail out. Maj. Aviram was rescued in a daring operation by a Cobra helicopter, in which he hung on to the chopper's landing gear. Ron Arad was taken captive."

Can anyone tell me more about that ? Sounds like a pretty wild ride !

Captain Ron Arad, a navigator with the Israeli Air Force, was captured on October 16, 1986, after parachuting out of his Phantom jet. He landed in the area of Say'da in southern Lebanon and was captured by members of the Islamic fundamentalist AMAL Militia. Captain Arad was brought to Beirut and personally held by the then head of security of Amal, Mustafa Dirani*. The leader of the Amal Militia, Nabi Berri, announced that he was holding Arad and proposed an exchange for Shiite and Lebanese detainees.
In early 1988, Dirani severed his ties with Amal due to ideological differences and took Ron Arad with him. That year, he formed a new group, called the "Resistance of the Believers" . Arad was held captive by Dirani's group until the beginning of 1989. After negotiations between "Resistance of the Believers" and the Iranians, Arad was handed over to the Iranian "Revolutionary Guards" in exchange for a large sum of money. Sources in Israel believe that Captain Ron Arad is still being held by this group - and according to an April 8, 1993 edition of the "Jerusalem Report", he was held captive somewhere in Iran. More recent rumors indicate he may now be held by an Iranian group in Lebanon and that he is still alive. Schmidtbauer, the influential German negotiator, continues to hope and work for Ron's release.
Ron Arad was born in Israel on May 5, 1958, the son of Batya and the late Dov Arad. Ron and his wife Tami have a daughter, Yuval. Before his capture, Ron was a student of chemical engineering at the Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, entering his second year of studies.

Regards,
Hist2004

[Tane Angle]

:|

[born_to_kill]

alot of peopel still think ron arad is alive

[csqnsas]

Post this and other rescues .All Israeli cobras now have an external set of "folding" seats. Just small bars with a strap. So the downed pilot's /crews's/SF who need a ride - can get one.

[hist2004]

On July 28, 1985 Israeli commandos launched an operation into southern Lebanon. The target of their assault was Shaykh Abdel-Karim Obeid.
He was seized and brought back to Israel ostensibly to face charges of terrorist activity on behalf of Hezbollah. The real motive was an attempt
to use Obeid as a bargaining chip in order to secure the release of Ron Arad. The Israeli’s held Obeid for over 16 years, but he was recently
released by Israel. Ron Arad remains MIA. During the operation to seize Obeid, a neighbor heard a commotion and decided to investigate. He
was shot by the Israeli commandos armed with suppressed weapons. I believe a helicopter force was used to deposit the commandos a
distance from the village and they then moved in to successfully carry out the operation. Perhaps our Israeli friends have more details of this operation.

Regards,
Hist2004

[aktarian]

Post this and other rescues .All Israeli cobras now have an external set of "folding" seats. Just small bars with a strap. So the downed pilot's /crews's/SF who need a ride - can get one.

Aren't those doors for loading ammo for gun?

[Javehn]

On correction , they didn't bail out because plain had damage due to technical mailfunction . The plain performed bombing round , dropped the bomb to close to the ground , and didn't lift on time . Plain was damage as aresult of the blast . Members of 669 unit rescued them in a middle of firefight , but Ron Arad was allready captured and been taken away .

[aktarian]

From israeli-weapons.com :
"In October 1986, during a routine attack in Lebanon, an IAF Phantom was damaged as a result of a technical malfunction.

Small correction. Israeli AF is called IDF/AF. IAF is Indian Air Force.

[IDFM203]

Small correction. Israeli AF is called IDF/AF. IAF is Indian Air Force.no IAF is Israeli air force and them as well and well I am sure the Irish fit into that also ;)

Just type in iaf.co.il and see where it takes you ;)

Anyways I read recently that it’s actually now IASF for its now the Israeli air and space force.........for anything to do with space (which Israel is now heavily involved in its own as well) falls under air force commend.

Shalom :D

[mustamato]

Anyways I read recently that it’s actually now IASF for its now the Israeli air and space force.........for anything to do with space (which Israel is now heavily involved in its own as well) falls under air force commend.

rofl

Watch out so you don´t meet any anti-semitic aliens.

http://www.starstore.com/acatalog/Star%20Wars%20Rancor%20Maquette%20CU%20Web.jpg

[IDFM203]

hehe :lol: , ok that was fair game, and indeed that was a bit funny I must admit ;)

Actually what a coincidence, just the other day I heard about some aliens and something about that they were spotted in Finland and well hey they fit that anti Semitic description that you just described and well all I can say was that its only a matter of time before you get to see a star of David coming in real close coming from space, if you know what I mean ;)

better run rofl rofl


Though seriously, Israeli satellites, satellite launchers etc. (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/israeli_weapons_space_systems.html) all fall under air force command and as such that is what I read.

Shalom :D

[Merik]

Post this and other rescues .All Israeli cobras now have an external set of "folding" seats. Just small bars with a strap. So the downed pilot's /crews's/SF who need a ride - can get one.

Kinda dumb, all you have to due is pop out your ammo stores and there is an instant cargo/passenger area.

[IDFM203]

Though seriously, Israeli satellites, satellite launchers etc. (http://www.israeli-weapons.com/israeli_weapons_space_systems.html) all fall under air force command and as such that is what I read.

Shalom :D

Well to expend on this and since I mentioned it already I figured I might as well bring down the article in where I saw it and expend a bit on what I said that the IAF is now (unofficially) the IASF, now I cant confirm this nor have I seen it in other places so I guess I will take a wait and see attitude if this is for real, though I must say the article sounds legit.

Oh and while I can understand the name change, I fully agree with the last line of this article ;)


Israel Air Force changes its name
03-Feb-2004 05:12 GMT
Financial Times Limited

The Israel Air Force has changed its name, but no one seems to know about it.

In a meeting held recently it was decided to change the name to the Israel Air and Space Force, following years of gradual changes in the military that gave the boys and girls in the blue uniforms more and more control over space-based capabilities.

However, there was no official announcement of the decision and it is not clear if it should be referred to now as the IASF or just the traditional IAF.

Ironically, it was the air force that originally rejected any attempts to host the military's initial venture into space back in the mid-1980s when the Ofek spy satellites were being developed. The IAF then did not want to have its budget cut further by the satellite program. In the end, the satellite program was funded by a special budget in the Ministry of Defense.

By the mid-1990s, when the satellite imagery was being supplied, the IAF was shutting squadrons and the intelligence was relayed to the Intelligence Corps which built ground-based reception centers.

But when Maj.-Gen. Eitan Ben-Eliahu took over he grabbed hold of space and worked hard to have it made an integral part of the IAF. The Intelligence Corps, which paid for the satellite downlink center from its own budget, was in no hurry to give up the capabilities (and control).

Finally, during the overhaul of the IDF under then chief of General Staff Lt.-Gen. Shaul Mofaz, an agreement was made and the air force was given control of all space capabilities and planning in the IDF. The move also coincided with the decision to send Col. Ilan Ramon into space with NASA. At the time, and ever since, the commanders of the IAF have wanted to change the name of the arm to reflect its new, enlarged role. So far this has been laughed off.

But apparently OC Air Force Maj.-Gen. Dan Halutz, who steps down in April, finally won over his colleagues on the General Staff. They decided earlier this week to agree to the name change. Only they didn't tell anyone officially.

Finally, Wednesday night the IDF Spokesman said yes, it was true that a decision had been made to integrate the air force and space commands. Unofficially, it said, the branch would now be called the Israel Air and Space Force.

Also unofficially, it said it had serious doubts this new name would catch on quickly.


Shalom :D