Maj. Gen. Amikam Nurkin appointed as Israeli Air Force commander

Maj. Gen. Amikam Nurkin was appointed commander the Israeli Air Force on Thursday at a festive ceremony in the presence of the Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman and IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkott.

"I am excited and aware of the magnitude of the challenge," said Norkin at the ceremony.

Norkin will replace Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who commanded the IAF in the past five years.