Air force Lt.-Colonel R closed a circle last week when his commanders complied with his special request, to be the pilot who flies Gilad Shalit from Tel Nof to Mitzpei Hila, his home community.

R’s father was the pilot teamed with navigator Ron Arad, who fell into captivity in October 1986. The phantom in which Yishai Aviram and Ron Arad flew over Sidon was damaged due to an explosion near the plane, compelling the two to eject. Arad was taken prison by Amal terrorists, and eventually, his trail was lost by Israel. Yishai, the father of Lt.-Colonel R was rescued and returned home by hanging on to the bottom of the Cobra chopper.

The pilot, R, spoke with Gilad during the 29-minute flight, assisting the latter in identifying communities below, giving Gilad a second spin over his home community of Mitzpei Hila.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)