This week, the Chief of Air Staff of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Wigston, visited Israel as a guest of the Commanding Officer of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Amikam Norkin.
The RAF said that the aim of the visit was “to promote key collaborative efforts and strengthen ties between the nations’ Air Forces”.
Air Chief Marshal Wigston was given a tour of the Israeli Air Force bases Tel Nof, Palmachim and Nevatim. He took part in a joint flight with Major General Norkin, flying in an Israeli Air Force F-15 aircraft from the 106th Squadron based at Tel Nof Airbase.
Air Chief Marshal Wigston said: “This has been an excellent opportunity to engage with the Israeli Air Force, to celebrate our common heritage, to nurture our enduring relationship, and to explore many areas of mutual interest. I am very grateful to Major General Norkin and his excellent team for hosting the visit”. He described the visit as a “privilege”.
Major General Norkin said that “the connection with the British Air Force is very important to the Israeli Air Force”. “During the visit, we discussed cooperation between our forces, and discussed the situation in the Middle East. We will continue to promote strategic collaborations with the goal of continuing to learn from each other, improving and strengthening ourselves along the way”, he added.
