IAF fly-over, Navy flotilla, skydiving demo on Independence Day
Israeli fighter jets, attack helicopters and transport aircraft joined by planes from foreign air forces for a special fly-over; the Navy shows off some of its vessels off the coasts of Israel, including submarines and warships; 100 past and present commanders and soldiers parachute in Haifa, Tel Aviv and Tiberias.
One of the highlights of Independence Day every year is the Israel Air Force's fly-over air show, and this year citizens were in for a special treat on Thursday as Israeli aircraft will fly alongside foreign ones.
The fly-over began at around 9:30am, with several types of planes and helicopters traveling the length of the country as a salute to Israel and its citizens.
The demonstration flies over 49 cities and towns, from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat, featuring the F-35, F-16, F-16I and the relatively new training plane, the M-346.
Alongside these were Apache helicopters, the CH-53 Sea Stallion and the UH-60 Black Hawk, and a variety of transport planes, from a Boeing 707-based refueling aircraft, the C-130 Hercules and the C-130J Super Hercules, to the B200 King Air and the Gulfstream V, which are mainly used in reconnaissance and intelligence missions.
The fly-over also included civilian aircraft: Arkia's Boeing 757 and Embraer E-Jet, El Al's Boeing 787 Dreamliner, three Air Tractor AT-802 planes belonging to the police's fire brigade and three police H125 Airbus helicopters.
This year's fly-over saw Israeli aircraft maneuvering alongside aircraft from foreign air forces, including a Greek F-16, a Polish C-17 transport aircraft, a Canadian C-295 transport aircraft, a British C-130 transport aircraft, a similar Austrian aircraft and an Italian Eurofighter.
The IDF said the demonstration will showcase Israel's cooperation with the foreign nations and will help "maintain diplomatic relations between the countries."
Just like every year, several Air Force bases have been opened throughout the country for the general public, offering a variety of activities, including Tel Nof, Ramat David, the Air Force Technical School, the Hatzerim Air Force Museum and Ovda.
Naval display
In addition to the fly-over, a Navy flotilla sailed along Israel's coastline from Haifa to Ashkelon, coming near the beach in Tel Aviv and Ashdod.
It included two submarines and Sa'ar 5-class corvette warships that were accompanied by a maritime helicopter, a Nirit Sa’ar 4.5 missile boat, and smaller vessels such as Dvora-class fast patrol boats and Defender-class boats.
Commandos from the elite Shayetet 13 naval unit parachuted into the water and boarded RHIBs, which they then sailed to shore.
Civilian yachts joined the Navy vessels in Tel Aviv and Herzliya.
The Eilat Navy base opened its gates to the public, putting its vessels on display in a flotilla in the Red Sea.
Parachuting demonstration
Also new this year was a unique parachuting demonstration, during which some 100 past and present commanders and combat soldiers parachuted at the Dado Beach in Haifa, Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv and the Tiberias boardwalk.
A video released by the IDF showed the skydivers boarding the Super Hercules plane, jumping into the Mediterranean and the Kinneret and being collected by naval commando forces from the elite Shayetet 13 unit. Eight soldiers parachuted together in every jump.
Among the skydivers were the commander of Shayetet 13, Col. T., major generals in reserves Yoram Yair, Doron Almog and Elazar Stern, Paratroopers Brigade Commander Yaki Dolef, and other division commanders and brigadier generals.
The three beaches, as well as Jerusalem, also saw the IAF's aerobatics team along with the Spearhead Squadron in a fly-over including the F-15 and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.
