129 new officers join the ranks of the IAF. "You are completing a chapter today and beginning a new one: a fascinating and challenging journey," said Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel
Date: 11/10/2012, 1:56 PM
Author: Yuval Tsuk
Yesterday (Wednesday), 129 Israeli Air Force cadets officially joined the ranks of the IAF. Commander of the IAF Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel addressed the cadets at their graduation ceremony. In his address, Maj. Gen. Eshel discussed regional events and the demands placed on the Air Force.
"The environment in which we live changes rapidly," said the Air Force Commander at the ceremony. "Some of it opposes our values and even our right to exist. Even these days, leaders are declaring their intention to destroy us; to the north, tens of thousands of our people are shot as the world stands on the sidelines. Israel is fighting a daily battle, one manifestation of which is the aircraft that the IAF brought down several days ago".
The officer course graduation ceremony was held at Ovda Airbase, which trains around 75 percent of the officers in the Air Force. With their graduation, another generation of soldiers has become officers, who will now join the ranks of commander in a variety of occupations: electronic warfare, technical jobs, flight control, and operations, among others.
"This is the epitome of the State of Israel: Men and women, from towns and cities, from kibbutzim, villages, and moshavim– minorities, new immigrants, lone soldiers and sons and daughters of veterans", said Major General Eshel, "You are completing a chapter today and beginning a new one: a fascinating and challenging journey. Your success will directly influence the security of the state and its citizens. Conclude missions successfully, be worthy of the people who will be under your command, set a high standard and an example to those surrounding you".
Amongst the next generation of commanders a number of standout role models can be foud. Second Lieutenant Neriya, together with his friend Gal Oren (also an IDF officer), invented a system to identify and plug water leaks, winning three awards and the chance to represent the European Union in a competition.