The 173rd Israeli Air Force pilot’s course finished with a grand ceremony on Thursday. IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot spoke at the ceremony, saying “our enemies view the IDF as a formidable foe. Just this month the IDF received an amazing plane which will keep Israel as one of the most advanced fighting forces in the world.”

Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter



Eisenkot then directed his comments to the new pilots.

“You all are a part of our ability to maintain our country’s existence, and to continue to enable us to excel and win wars. But remember, although the sky is the limit, the way is the way of the land. Only a strong, professional, and moral IDF can ensure the security of the citizens of Israel. The whole nation of Israel puts their trust in your hands.”

The new pilots (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

Netanyahu continued, talking about the turmoil going on in the Middle East, and the endless waves of refugees fleeing the region for Europe.

Prime Minister Netanyahu at the pilots' closing ceremony (Photo: Motti Kimchi)

“Fire is burning everywhere,” the prime minister continued. “There are enormous massacres being carried out against innocent people. An unending stream of refugees is wandering from continent to continent. With all due respect to those who speak about the central conflict in the Middle East - this is in fact the tragedy in our region. Not our relatively marginal conflict with the Palestinians, but the collapse of entire nations, entire countries. More people have been killed n only a few months of fighting in Syria, Yemen, and Sudan than in 100 years of conflict with the Palestinians.”

The fourth female combat pilot

According to the Israel Air Force website, 26 percent of the pilots are going to be combat pilots, 23 percent combat navigators, 20 percent transport pilots, and 27 percent will be helicopter pilots.

Israel’s fourth female fighter pilot also graduated from the course. After having been a simulator instructor, she got into pilot’s training and finished the course, becoming a combat fighter pilot.