Post-Yom Kippur War, Israel purchased the F-15 Eagle, the then world's best air-to-air fighter, in an effort to prevent another surprise attack from the air. For the first time in its history the IDF/AF operated a fighter that was a full generation ahead of opposing interceptors in the region. The first 'kill' F-15 Baz (Buzzard) arrived in Israel in 1976 and soon proved its worth in combat. Israeli Baz pilots were credited with 12.5 kills between 1979 and 1981, with 33 victories following during the June 1982 Lebanon War. Despite substantial combat, no Israeli F-15 has ever been lost to enemy action. In the 1990s the US government supplied the IDF/AF with the F-15I Ra'am (Thunder) to fulfill the long-range surface-to-surface missile mission post-Desert Storm. From A to I, the extremely capable, and combat-tested, Israeli F-15 force will continue to deter potential enemies well into the foreseeable future. This book examines the history and development of these units.

The light and agile A-4 Skyhawk was the first modern American jet to be offered to the Israeli Air Force, marking the point where the US took over from France as Israel's chief military supplier. Deliveries began too late for the A-4 to fight in the Six-Day War, but it soon formed the backbone of the IAF's ground-attack force. From 1969 to 1970 it flew endless sorties against Egyptian forces in the War of Attrition. Then, during the Yom Kippur War, five squadrons of A-4s saw combat and 50 planes were lost as they battled against the Arab armored onslaught. Using previously unpublished first-hand accounts and rare photography from the IAF archives and pilots' private collections, Shlomo Aloni tells the definitive history of the IAF's A-4 squadrons, including the story of Ezra “BABAN” Dotan who became an ace with an unique double-kill of MiG17s.

With its twin tail, the F-15 Eagle is probably the most recognizable military jet fighter in the skies today, and is undoubtedly the most successful jet fighter of all time, having never been shot down in combat. Flown not only by the US Air Force but by the air forces of Israel, Saudi Arabi and even Japan, and, with almost 30 years service, the F-15 is the world's leading operational air superiority and interceptor. Steve Davies and Doug Dildy draw on a vast array of sources including combat records, technical documents, and unpublished first-hand accounts from the pilots themselves to tell the story of this amazing plane, detailing such incredible feats as the Israeli F-15 which was successfully landed despite losing a wing. Containing over 100 breathtaking color photographs and comprising detailed technical information, this definitive history and guide to the world's most successful jet fighter is a "must have" for anyone interested in modern aviation.

The F-15A/C is irrefutably the most successful jet fighter of the last 30 years. Serving in the Air Forces of Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia, it has racked up a kill ratio exceeding 105:0. Despite its age, it remains the leading operational air superiority and intercept platform in service today. The hi-tech wizardry of modern air combat detailed in this book makes for fascinating reading, even to those not immediately familiar with modern airpower, and a huge pool of previously unpublished information on both aircrafts' combat records is uncovered.

The American manufactured F-4 Phantom II was used by the Israelis in air-to-ground missions, as an attack aircraft, and air-to-air missions as a fighter. Despite performing both roles with equal success the Israeli reliance on the Mirage III and Nesher delta fighters meant that the F-4 was used most regularly in its air-to-ground role. The kill total of the Israeli F-4 community was, consequently, a modest 116.5; significantly lower than that of other Israeli aircraft types in service between 1969 and 1982. A handful of aces were, nevertheless, created and, using first hand accounts, this unique book tells their stories. Many F-4 pilots had previously flown the Mirage III but most of the navigators were either inexperienced flying school graduates or had been transferred from transport aircraft. The decision to create such teams may have appeared an odd one and it certainly led to a number of interesting experiences but proved, ultimately, to be so successful that by 2010 the Israeli air force will have more two-seat combat aircraft than single-seat fighters. The F-4 experience was, therefore, crucial to moulding the future of the Israeli air force.

Israeli delta fighters pilots have been credited with almost 300 kills between 1966 and 1974, and dozens of them became aces. The Israeli aerial kill exchange rate and overall air-to-air performance was phenomenal. Although the Israeli pilots were flying Mach 2 fighters, they lacked any modern radar equipment and their MiG-21 flying opponents should have had a performance edge over them. This book details their most signifcant engagements, many of which were essentially World War 2 style dogfights fought with jet aircraft. Because neither side had the combat edge to disengage at will most engagements were a life and death struggle and the introduction of air-to-air missiles and the Israeli Nesher was to prove decisive in this theatre.

Without a doubt the finest air fighter currently in service with western air forces, the F-15 has held this position of dominance since it first entered service with the USAF in 1976. Dennis Jenkins delivers in-depth coverage of the systems, engines, and weapons of the incomparable F-15 Eagle. Contains coverage of the F-15s 20 test aircraft, the latest models and technology upgrades, and a Desert Storm kill log.

Founded in 1948, the Israeli Air Force has seen involvement in some of the most dramatic and important conflicts of post–World War II history. In action during the Suez crisis and on call during the Gulf War, the Force continued to see active deployment right through to the 2006 Lebanon War and beyond into recent conflicts in Gaza. This is a timely release, which sets recent events in historical context, and illustrates these key operations with a range of impressive color photographs, many of which have never been published before. Don McCarthy is an established and well-respected aviation historian and as such is particularly well placed to produce such a work. Controversial contemporary conflicts between Israel and Iran make the publication of this record particularly pertinent, illustrating the history of these ongoing disputes and the conflicts that prefigured them. Included are images of iconic relics such as the historic Mirage and Skyhawk, as well as photographs of modern craft such as F-15s and F-16s. This library of images work to paint an engaging history of this Force, a presence in the skies for more than sixty-five years. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in history--books about World War II, the Third Reich, Hitler and his henchmen, the JFK assassination, conspiracies, the American Civil War, the American Revolution, gladiators, Vikings, ancient Rome, medieval times, the old West, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.

Founded in 1948, the Israeli Air Force has seen involvement in some of the most dramatic and important conflicts of post-War history. In action during the Suez crisis and on call during the Gulf War, the Force continued to see active deployment right through to the 2006 Lebanon War and beyond into recent conflicts in Gaza. This is a timely release therefore, setting recent events in historical context, and illustrating these key operations with a range of impressive colour photographs, many of which have never been published before. As we approach the Sixty Fifth Anniversary of the founding of the Force, it seems fitting that a photographic record should be published. ??Don McCarthy is an established and well-respected aviation historian and as such is particularly well placed to produce such a work. Controversial contemporary conflicts between Israel and Iran make the publication of this record particularly pertinent, illustrating the history of these on going disputes and the conflicts that prefigured them. Included are images of iconic relics such as the historic Mirage and Skyhawk, as well as photographs of modern craft such as F-15s and F-16s. This library of images work to paint an engaging history of the Force, a presence in the skies for sixty five years.