One of the highlights of Independence Day every year is the Israel Air Force's fly-over air show, and this year citizens were in for a special treat on Thursday as Israeli aircraft will fly alongside foreign ones.

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



צילום: יובל עוזרי, רועי עידן, עידו ארז, אבי חי, קובי ריכטר/TPS

X

The fly-over began at around 9:30am, with several types of planes and helicopters traveling the length of the country as a salute to Israel and its citizens.





Fighter jets over the President's Residence in Jerusalem (Photo: Ohad Zwigenberg)

The demonstration flies over 49 cities and towns, from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat, featuring the F-35, F-16, F-16I and the relatively new training plane, the M-346.

(Photo: Avi Mualem)

(Photo: Avi Mualem)

Alongside these were Apache helicopters, the CH-53 Sea Stallion and the UH-60 Black Hawk, and a variety of transport planes, from a Boeing 707-based refueling aircraft, the C-130 Hercules and the C-130J Super Hercules, to the B200 King Air and the Gulfstream V, which are mainly used in reconnaissance and intelligence missions.





(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The fly-over also included civilian aircraft: Arkia's Boeing 757 and Embraer E-Jet, El Al's Boeing 787 Dreamliner, three Air Tractor AT-802 planes belonging to the police's fire brigade and three police H125 Airbus helicopters.

The IAF's aerobatics team (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The IAF's aerobatics team (Photo: Matan Deri)

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The IAF's aerobatics team (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

This year's fly-over saw Israeli aircraft maneuvering alongside aircraft from foreign air forces, including a Greek F-16, a Polish C-17 transport aircraft, a Canadian C-295 transport aircraft, a British C-130 transport aircraft, a similar Austrian aircraft and an Italian Eurofighter.

The IDF said the demonstration will showcase Israel's cooperation with the foreign nations and will help "maintain diplomatic relations between the countries."

(Photo: Yaniv Cohen)

Just like every year, several Air Force bases have been opened throughout the country for the general public, offering a variety of activities, including Tel Nof, Ramat David, the Air Force Technical School, the Hatzerim Air Force Museum and Ovda.

Naval display

In addition to the fly-over, a Navy flotilla sailed along Israel's coastline from Haifa to Ashkelon, coming near the beach in Tel Aviv and Ashdod.

Dolphin-class submarine (Photo: Gil Nechushtan)

It included two submarines and Sa'ar 5-class corvette warships that were accompanied by a maritime helicopter, a Nirit Sa’ar 4.5 missile boat, and smaller vessels such as Dvora-class fast patrol boats and Defender-class boats.

On board on of the Navy's Dvora-class vessels (צילום: גיל נחושתן)

X

Commandos from the elite Shayetet 13 naval unit parachuted into the water and boarded RHIBs, which they then sailed to shore.

(Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

Civilian yachts joined the Navy vessels in Tel Aviv and Herzliya.

The Eilat Navy base opened its gates to the public, putting its vessels on display in a flotilla in the Red Sea.

Dvora-class fast patrol boats (Photo: Gil Nechushtan)

Dvora-class fast patrol boats (Photo: Gil Nechushtan)

Parachuting demonstration

Also new this year was a unique parachuting demonstration, during which some 100 past and present commanders and combat soldiers parachuted at the Dado Beach in Haifa, Gordon Beach in Tel Aviv and the Tiberias boardwalk.

(Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

(Photo: IDF Spokesman's Office)

A video released by the IDF showed the skydivers boarding the Super Hercules plane, jumping into the Mediterranean and the Kinneret and being collected by naval commando forces from the elite Shayetet 13 unit. Eight soldiers parachuted together in every jump.

צילום: דובר צה"ל

X

Among the skydivers were the commander of Shayetet 13, Col. T., major generals in reserves Yoram Yair, Doron Almog and Elazar Stern, Paratroopers Brigade Commander Yaki Dolef, and other division commanders and brigadier generals.

Parachuting demo (קרדיט וצילום: דוברות עיריית טבריה, דובר צה"ל, זיו סוקולוב)

X

(Photo: Motti Kimchi)

The three beaches, as well as Jerusalem, also saw the IAF's aerobatics team along with the Spearhead Squadron in a fly-over including the F-15 and the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II.

