Outgoing IAF commander: Our enemies would be surprised by our abilities
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin officially assumes command of the Israeli Air Force in a ceremony held at the Tel Nof Airbase; Norkin replaces Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who is retiring from the IDF after 40 years of service.
The ceremony was attended by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot and US Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David Goldfein.
Norkin is replacing Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who is retiring from the IDF after 40 years of service.
During Eshel's tenure, two major operations were conducted in the Gaza Strip—the 2012 Operation Pillar of Defense and the 2014 Operation Protective Edge—along with hundreds of sorties and covert operations beyond Israel's borders, including strikes against Hamas and Hezbollah.
"The Middle East is changing before our eyes. The global transformation in the balance of forces and the changing battlefield continue to expand the responsibility and mission of the Air Force. It also requires us to continue developing our capabilities to deal with the challenges of the future," said Norkin.
"The Air Force will continue to acquire new and advanced technologies. The Air Force of the future will continue to strengthen its ties with other air forces and strengthen Israel's standing in the region and in the world. I take this command with confidence in our people and our capabilities," Norkin concluded.
In his remarks, Eshel said, "The skills of the IAF in offense and defense have been tested in recent years in thousands of operations across five arenas; both in close range and thousands of kilometers from home. Threats were thwarted, rockets were destroyed and aircraft were intercepted in the Middle East and beyond its borders.
"The Israeli Air Force gives the IDF unprecedented strength. Our enemies cannot imagine its quality and scope. If we are forced to fight, they will be very surprised. Our personnel are extremely professional, determined and humble."
Lt. Gen. Eisenkot echoed the confidence in the IAF of both men, saying, "The Air Force is the strategic arm that is the guarantor of the security of the State of Israel. The map of threats is expanding and changing at a rapid pace, which obligates us to adapt our capabilities to the modern battlefield.
"At our borders terrorist organizations are organizing and growing stronger. The IDF needs a very high level of preparedness against any threat."
