MigBuster 2,884 Posted June 7, 2017 Israelis Shock The World With Audacious First Ever F-16 Strike. https://theaviationist.com/2017/06/07/36-years-ago-today-operation-opera-the-israeli-air-strike-on-an-iraqi-nuclear-reactor/ 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capitaine Vengeur 263 Posted June 8, 2017 ...starring Ilan Ramon, the later first Israeli astronaut, as the junior pilot in the pack. A carefully selected pack, yet I had read an article about how awful was the private relationship between the leader Ze'ev Raz and his second in command Amos Yadlin. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nesher 628 Posted June 8, 2017 I remember seeing an interview with Ilan (RIP), he didn't believe he would survive the strike being the last to drop bombs (by then he thought they'll be caught by SA/AAA) To a great operation and to a great group of men who helped save the world that day! <S> and Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+Gepard 11,316 Posted June 8, 2017 Interestingly is the fact, that Zeev Raz was a Yom Kippu War hero of the ZAHAL (IAF). He was not intended to fly the mission. But as commander he decided that he would fly and so he pushed one well trained pilot out of the mission. During the attack only one pilot missed the target. And this only one was Zeev Raaz. "Opera" was a great, well planed operation. Even in our Air Force the mission was praised as a great masterpiece. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Capitaine Vengeur 263 Posted June 9, 2017 Interestingly is the fact, that Zeev Raz was a Yom Kippu War hero of the ZAHAL (IAF). He was not intended to fly the mission. But as commander he decided that he would fly and so he pushed one well trained pilot out of the mission. During the attack only one pilot missed the target. And this only one was Zeev Raaz. As said above, Raz asserts that Yadlin, scheduled to be second to drop, cut his way at the last moment in order to be the first one. Raz was rewarded with a Chief of Staff Citation. As said in my Israeli Medals Pack, there were but a little handful of IDF combat pilots who were ever awarded the lowest-ranking medal (still highly praised as rarely awarded), or this highest-ranking citation ribbon. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
+CrazyhorseB34 937 Posted June 9, 2017 Heroes! But politics always play a role. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
