Lt. Ron Reflects Back On The Night That Could Have Been His Last

“It was clear to me that I would return to serve here. It’s my home.”

Nine months after the Atalef aircraft crash, Lt. Ron reflects back on the night that could have been his last.

On January 3, 2022, at 19:55, an Atalef helicopter aircraft departed for another routine training flight. Lt. Col. Erez was the flight captain alongside his co-captain, Maj. Chen. Behind them on the aircraft sat Lt. Ron. The two captains were well trained and experienced and according to Lt. Ron, "Everything went according to plan. We achieved all of the flight’s goals.”

It was only on their way back to base that something went wrong. “We were flying above the water and saw the shore ahead of us, when we suddenly felt the aircraft starting to shake. From there everything took a turn for the worse. The left engine shut down, leaving them operating with a single engine. A few seconds later it seemed as though the engine was reactivated, but a lightbulb indicating a fire inside the engine turned on. "

By this time, Lt. Col. Erez and Maj. Chen handled the situation and it felt as though everything was under control. Within seconds they intentionally shut down the electricity systems on the aircraft in an attempt to cease the fire. At that point they shut down the communication system and “Suddenly there was silence. No one could hear anything and communication was lost.”

At that exact moment, Lt. Ron knew that a crash was inevitable. “I tightened my seatbelt and locked it so that I couldn't move. I held on tight, closed my eyes and leaned forward.​​ The next thing I remember is waking up in the water, not able to breathe.”

Lt. Ron struggled for several minutes to free himself until “I thought of my wife and family and because of those thoughts, I was able to squeeze myself out of the aircraft and out of the water. It was until I was back on shore that I was able to take a deep breath.

I remember shouting for the other two crew members, trying to find them until I realized that they were still stuck inside of the aircraft. I immediately dove back into the water until I couldn’t breath, found my breath and went back into the water. I did this several times until I came to the conclusion that I wouldn’t be able to open the aircraft door. Five minutes had already passed and I knew at that point that I couldn’t save them anymore.”

At this horrifying moment Lt. Ron held onto the side of the aircraft and called out for help. The Commanding Officer of the 193th Squadron who had been in communication with the aircraft had realized the connection was lost and came to the rescue. When the rescue members rescued his two missing crew members, he corrected them saying “They are not missing, they are dead.”  

About five months after the incident—in which he received love and support from the soldiers of the squadron and his friends—Lt. Ron resumed his military service. “I knew that I wanted to come back and serve more there. This is my home. My friends and commanders practically lived with me as I rehabilitated. 

The Fogel and Sachyani families (families of the two officers who passed away) have continued to embrace me and it makes it feel as though I am back with their sons."

Ever since then, Lt. Ron carries the memories of his fallen fellow soldiers. “When I think of Maj. Chen, I remember the friendship and partnership that we shared. He was an excellent pilot and mentor and also a helpful and attentive friend. He was someone that truly loved everyone around him and it made everyone love him.

Lt. Col. Erez was a Lieutenant Colonel, the Deputy Commanding Officer of the base, but he was always seen with a smile. He was the most approachable and happy person. 

It is because of them that I am here today. I will forever be grateful that I had them in my life and will carry their memories everywhere I go.”