Tetris Challenge 161 Squadron
On 28 July 2021, the 161 Tayeset Ha’Nakhash Ha’Shakhor (Black Snake Squadron) of the Heyl Ha’Avir (IAF, Israeli Air Force), based at Palmachim air base, showed their equipment to the internet public in participating in the worldwide Tetris Challenge.
A formation of 21 Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) Hermes 450 Zik Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) were displayed on the Palmachim runway during the challenge. This is highly unusual, as Israel does not publicly disclose military operational numbers.
The IAI Hermes 450 Zik is an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), one of the types operating by the UAS Division of the IAF, together with the IAI Hermes 900 Kochav (166 Squadron), the IAI Heron Shoval (200 Squadron) and the IAI Heron TP Eithan (210 Squadron). Since January 2021, the Hermes 450 Zik UAS' of 166 ‘The First Zik Squadron’ were transferred to 161 Squadron.
The Tetris Challenge trend started early September 2019, when the police from Zürich (Switzerland) posted a photo online of two officers lying on the ground, surrounded by their emergency equipment, shaped like Tetris stones in a mosaic pattern. Almost two weeks later after the challenge became viral on the internet, worldwide armies and security and rescue forces introduced their version of a display of equipment, highlighting the huge amount of equipment that they need to do their jobs.
Photos by Tomer Matzkin via Israeli Air Force