Israel IAF G550 credit Hans van Herk 2 640Israeli Gulfstream pilot training

On 5 July 2023, the US Department of Defense (DoD) awarded a contract to Flight Safety International Inc. (OH) for Heyl Ha’Avir (IAF, Israeli Air Force) Gulfstream pilot training.

The training programme, valued at USD10 million, is for Gulfstream V (G-V) initial and recurrent pilot training, and Gulfstream 550 (G550) recurrent pilot training. The contract also provides an operational capability for a follow-on request to conduct Simulator Flight Training services.

The work will be conducted in various US locations, and is expected to be completed by 30 June 2028.

The IAF operates a fleet of six G-V Nachshon Shavit/Oron Airborne Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and G550 Nachshon Eitam Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft with 122 The Nachshon Squadron at Nevatim Air Base.

Until 2000, the unit, previously known as The Dakota Squadron used the C-47A Dakota Electronic Warfare (EW) variant. The first G-V was delivered in February 2006 after being fitted out by IAI Elta at Tel Aviv-Ben Gurion with EL/I-3001 Airborne Integrated Signal Intelligence System (AISIS) SIGINT mission equipment.

The following aircraft are operated by 122sq:

G-V Nachshon Shavit: 676, 679 and 684
G550 Nachshon Eitam: 537 and 569
G550 Nachshon Oron: 452

Photo by Hans van Herk

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