How do Israel Air Force pilots see in the dark? Last week, the Valley Squadron headed out for a complex, week-long exercise in the dark. Throughout the unique training session, aerial crews practiced various common scenarios that may arise when flying at night. We present a peek into how a combat squadron functions once the sun sets.
Every morning, Israel’s Ramat David airbase is filled with life as reservists make their way to the base to start their day. Last week, however, Ramat David airbase was as silent as ever. Air crew members of the Valley Squadron arrived in the evening and began preparing for a long night of activity. The effort was part of Israel Air Force’s “Reverse Week,” during which air crew members practice nighttime flights.
Air crew members face many challenges when flying in the dark. Their normal sleeping hours are disrupted, and the only way to make out their surroundings is through night-vision devices. Even takeoffs and landings are different due to the darkness. The pilots have to remain at their sharpest at all times. One of the night-vision devices utilized by pilots is called “Journal” – a surveillance device that is fixed on the pilot’s headpiece and brightens the light produced by stars, providing aircrew members with better sight.
Thanks to “Reverse Week”, aircrew members are able to confront challenging scenarios that could arise when flying at night. “We fly at night every week,” clarifies Maj. Lior, deputy commander of the Valley Squadron. “However, when we devote one day a week to flying at night, we only get to fly only once. In comparison, when we ‘reverse’ an entire week, we get to head out at night multiple times, kicking the level of complexity up a notch.”
Not only does the number of nighttime flights taking place this week provide pilots with a higher level of difficulty, the number of people and airplanes that take off make it possible to fly in more complex layouts and formations. “We begin with a relatively simple layout, and as time goes by we make the exercises progressively more difficult,” said Major Lior.
A reservist officer in the Valley Squadron, Brig.-Gen. (res.) Ram Shmueli agrees that nighttime training once a week was not enough. “Today, as a reservist officer, I can see the advantage of training at night more often because of the extensive experience and expertise you gain.”
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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9 Responses
Air forces have known how to safely engage in night operations since before World War II.
BH
We must remember that its all Nissim min hashamayim, even if one does not follow the ideas of Zionisim, Hakodosj Baruch Hu is protecting tje yiden in EErets Yisroel, and all the advanced Idf and Iaf achievements are all Mim Hashamayim
“and brightens the light produced by stars”
Bad translation.
It doesn’t brighten the light produced by starts, it amplifies it to the level where the eye can see what the starlight illuminates.
#1- The IAF is acknowledged by experts as being one of the world’s best. If you think your stupid comment is a put down of the IAF, then you are a dope!
#1 have you ever said anything positive about Eretz Yisroel and its defenders who put their lives at risk.
If are a true Charadi you would know to show a little appreciation and focus on the positives.
Reb Chaim Shmuelevitz zt”l, the Rosh Yeshiva of the Mirer Yeshiva in Jerusalem, referred to IDF soldiers, killed in battle, as “Harugei Lod” (the martyrs of Lod), whom the Talmud Bava Batra 10b, states that “No tzaddik can ever reach their level in Olam Haba.” He also wept and spoke every Yom Kippur about the need to empathize with the dangers that the IDF soldiers face on a daily basis.
#5- No he has not ever said anything positive. He is not a true Chareidi. A true Chareidi does not sit at the computer all day and wait for every opportunity to criticize. A true Chareidi is oseik in Torah and Mitzvos, not the internet.
It was the Chareidim dwelling all round the globe that had the lion’s heart ,akuperma had the luck to be called upon to give the roar
#5
Most others disagreed with him
(ah,how about everything else he said)
#6
two birds with one stone..
1)from an ultimate Chareidi despiser: louder
2)and a confession about yourself
#5
Sorry,’useful idiot’ is being left for you
BH
Farkert, i am only adding to the conversation, that we should not forget to thank hashem for all the miracles.
If you scroll back u would see that none of my comments are negative