The Israeli air force’s new Flying Dragon aggressor squadron has conducted its first flights against the service’s Boeing F-15I and Lockheed Martin F-16 fighters. Equipped with F-16A/Bs, the new unit forms part of a Red Flag-style combat training centre recently established at Uvda airbase in southern Israel.
The squadron is scheduled to receive additional fixed-wing fighter types and Bell AH-1 attack helicopters according to the air force’s operational requirements.
Israel’s establishment of the Uvda training centre will reduce the cost of its previous involvement in the US Air Force’s Red Flag exercises that are flown from Nellis AFB, Nevada.
ARIE EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
