
Eisenkot then directed his comments to the new pilots.
“You all are a part of our ability to maintain our country’s existence, and to continue to enable us to excel and win wars. But remember, although the sky is the limit, the way is the way of the land. Only a strong, professional, and moral IDF can ensure the security of the citizens of Israel. The whole nation of Israel puts their trust in your hands.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke at the ceremony, saying “at this moment, you are finishing your course here, at the end of three years of extraordinarily hard work. You have completed a near infinite number of tests, and have proven your ability to perform, proven that you understand the technology, and operate using the highest of morals. The strong spirit of Zionism has pushed you all forward.”
Netanyahu continued, talking about the turmoil going on in the Middle East, and the endless waves of refugees fleeing the region for Europe.
“Fire is burning everywhere,” the prime minister continued. “There are enormous massacres being carried out against innocent people. An unending stream of refugees is wandering from continent to continent. With all due respect to those who speak about the central conflict in the Middle East - this is in fact the tragedy in our region. Not our relatively marginal conflict with the Palestinians, but the collapse of entire nations, entire countries. More people have been killed n only a few months of fighting in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan than in 100 years of conflict with the Palestinians.”
The fourth female combat pilot
According to the Israel Air Force website, 26 percent of the pilots are going to be combat pilots, 23 percent combat navigators, 20 percent transport pilots, and 27 percent will be helicopter pilots.
Israel’s fourth female fighter pilot also graduated from the course. After having been a simulator instructor, she got into pilot’s training and finished the course, becoming a combat fighter pilot.