Israel Air Force Technical Crews: The War's Silent Heroes
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
The Israeli Air Force's technical crews have achieved an unprecedented success rate during the ongoing war, preventing any aircraft losses due to technical malfunctions despite a record operational tempo. This remarkable feat, unmatched in modern warfare, ensures high aircraft availability, crucial for sustaining combat operations, long-range strikes, and casualty evacuations. The success is attributed to a multi-tiered maintenance system, deep technical expertise, and a strong tradition of adaptability and professionalism within the IAF.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Israeli Air Force has not lost a single aircraft to technical failure during the current war, a historically unprecedented achievement.
- This success is attributed to the dedication and expertise of the IAF's technical crews and a robust, multi-tiered maintenance system.
- The IAF maintains an exceptionally high aircraft serviceability rate, with F-35 squadrons reportedly at 90% readiness.
- The technical teams' work is critical for sustaining combat operations, including strikes against Hezbollah and long-range missions.
- Historical data shows significant aircraft losses in past wars due to technical issues, highlighting the IAF's current achievement.
- The maintenance system has evolved from improvisational repairs during the War of Independence to sophisticated, specialized repair tiers.
The technical crews of the Israeli Air Force (IAF) have been crucial to the military's operational success during the ongoing war, ensuring an unprecedentedly high rate of aircraft availability and preventing any planes from being lost due to technical malfunctions. Foreign intelligence analysts, initially focused on the IAF's strike capabilities, were surprised by the flawless technical performance, especially given the intense operational tempo since October 7, 2023. This success is attributed to the dedication of mechanics and technicians who, unlike pilots, are not adorned with wings but are described as "angels on their backs."
Historically, aircraft losses in wartime have often stemmed from technical failures rather than enemy fire. For example, the Vietnam War saw 138 U.S. Navy Phantoms lost, with 63 due to non-combat factors. Similarly, the 1991 Gulf War resulted in 75 coalition aircraft losses, 31 of which were technical. Even in Afghanistan in 2001, only seven of 33 lost aircraft were downed by the Taliban. While diagnostic and repair methods have improved over time, the current war's operational load, the highest ever for the IAF, has seen zero aircraft lost to technical issues, a feat unmatched even by Australia's campaign against ISIS from 2014-2018.
The IAF's technical array is structured in three tiers. The first tier, a "critical care" unit, performs immediate checks, refueling, rearming, and repairs after each mission. This tier consists of very young soldiers who develop deep familiarity with specific aircraft. The second tier handles more complex issues, focusing on engines, electronics, and electronic warfare systems. The third tier, comprising experts at Unit 22 and Unit 108, specializes in repairing severely damaged aircraft, capable of fabricating parts and restoring planes that other militaries would scrap.
This robust technical system has been vital for sustaining critical operations, including the bombardment campaign against Hezbollah, enabling the destruction of thousands of rockets, and ensuring the availability of helicopters for casualty evacuation. The ability to conduct long-range bombing campaigns, such as the one against Iran, also relies heavily on this maintenance prowess. Despite air bases being primary targets for Iranian ballistic missiles and rocket attacks from Hezbollah and Hamas, the technical teams have worked continuously.
The high serviceability rate of IAF aircraft, with F-35 squadrons reportedly at around 90% readiness, double the U.S. Air Force rate, is a testament to this maintenance policy, designed for rapid response to surprise attacks. The success stems from a combination of a tradition of diverse and flexible maintenance, the professionalism of personnel at all levels, and the understanding that failure in the air force could lead to disaster on the home front.