The Israel Air Force on Thursday 3 Teves held graduation exercises for the 169th pilot’s training program. 400 recruits began the course, which was completed by 37 pilots. Of the graduates, 7 will fly helicopters, 3 are fighter pilots, 16 are navigators for fighter pilots, 6 will pilot cargo planes, 3 are navigators for cargo planes, and three are standby pilots. 85% of the graduates will serve in mandatory service and 15% are in the reserves. One of the navigators for a combat pilot if a female.

The IDF’s BaMachane Magazine reveals some statistics regarding women in the air force two decades after Alice Miller took her case to the Supreme Court. Almost 10% of women who begin the course manage to complete it. Of the 400 women who began the course in the past two decades, 37 have completed it and received their wings, of which 31 are still serving in active duty. 5 are actively serving in the reserves. Women represent 7% of the last class.

The graduation was dedicated to three decades since Operation Moses, the operation to bring home the first Jews from Ethiopia in 1984.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)