In June 2013 I had the pleasure of witnessing the Graduation Ceremony dress-rehearsal of the Israeli Air Force at Hatzerim air base.
During a formal event in front of their families and dignitaries, the graduated pilots received their wings.
To celebrate, the air force staged a small but impressive show with fly-by and airpower demonstration in beautiful, warm evening light.
The fly-by consisted of several S-70 Black Hawks, C-130 with CH-53 and B707 with F-15's. AH-64's and an S-70 performed the air power demo. To top it off, 4 T-6's and a F-15I flew a demonstration.
1) T-6 Texan is waiting for the demo flight
2)
3) flying in from the back of the crowd
4) turning right for the crossover
5) KC-130 and CH-53. The CH-53 is actually connected with the bucket
6)
7) KC-707 with 3 F-15A/C's. Also here, the tanker was connected with the receiver
8 ) After the fly-by, the AH-64's showed up for an air-power demonstration
9) Why use staged pyrotechnics when you can use your 30mm cannon to destroy a few targets on the ground....
10) When the AH-64's were finished securing the area, the S-70 showed its capability of extracting downed pilots by winching them out
11) S-70 departing the scene after the AH-64's took care of business
12) Covering their exit, the AH-64's released all of their flares from a stationary position
13) After the smoke had somewhat cleared, the F-15I thundered down the runway for a sunset demo
14)
15) beautiful camo
regards,
Koen