Hatzerim Airbase

is an airbase of the Israeli Air Force located in the Negev Desert on the western outskirts of Beersheba, near Kibbutz Hatzerim. The base was constructed during the early 1960s and was operational as of 3 October 1966. Hatzerim is also the location of the Israeli Air Force Museum, which opened its doors in 1977 and has allowed public access since June 1991. The IAF Flight Academy has been housed at Hatzerim since April 1966 and the Israeli Acrobatic Team is located there as well.

Units

*69 Squadron IAF F-15I
*102 Squadron IAF A-4N
*107 Squadron IAF F-16I
*123 Squadron IAF UH-60 Blackhawk
*130 Squadron IAF AB206
*141 Squadron IAF A-4N
*142 Squadron IAF F-4E
*155 Squadron IAF Samson/Delilah UAV
*162 Squadron IAF Hughes 500MD/AH-1
*247 Squadron IAF C-12/Do 28B
*252 Squadron IAF T-4H/J

Commanders

*Colonel Joe Alon (first commander and founder)
*Yaakov Turner (1977-1981)
*Brigadier General Amiram Elyasaf
*Brigadier General Amos Yadlin (1995-1998)
*Brigadier General Roni Falec (1998-2001)
*Brigadier General Yohanan Lucker (2001-2004)
*Brigadier General Shelly Gutman

References

* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/hatzerim.htm Hatzerim from globalsecurity.org]
* [http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/israel/iafbase.htm Aeroflight World Airforces]

ee also

*List of airports in Israel
* gallery at Commons

External links

[http://www.spitfirepilots.com/israel.html "Dust, sun, heat and Spitfires" - article about Israel Air Force Museum]