Crowded, Dangerous, and in Two Languages: The Unprecedented Air Operation Over Israel Revealed

The Israeli Air Force has revealed for the first time the full picture of the unprecedented air operation over Israel, as part of Operation 'Roar of the Lion'. Hundreds of aircraft, including fighter jets, helicopters, and refuelers, returned at once from strikes deep in Iran, coordinated with the US military. The air control system managed the most crowded airspace ever, while dealing with threats from missiles and drones from Iran and Lebanon.

The Israeli Air Force has revealed for the first time the full picture of the unprecedented air operation over Israel, which took place as part of Operation 'Roar of the Lion'. On the opening day of the operation, hundreds of aircraft of all types returned at once from precise strikes deep in Iran, and Israel's airspace became an explosive traffic jam of fighter jets, helicopters, refuelers, unmanned vehicles, and civilian flights. The air control system was required to synchronize unprecedented cooperation between the force's pilots and US military pilots, while speaking in two languages. The senior officer described the airspace as 'the most crowded ever', with lots of radio chatter and everyone passing close to everyone. The Air Force commander, Major General Tomer Bar, was heavily involved in briefings and emphasized the element of surprise. Colonel R., a commander in the system, had 12 hours to prepare and crossed the country to brief his units. The sortie took place on Saturday morning, with civilian aviation operating as usual to avoid suspicion. After the explosions in Iran, instructions were given for civilian aircraft to land. Later, Hezbollah joined the campaign with rockets, missiles, and drones, and the system also had to provide alerts to civilians. The officer emphasized that the controllers not only control but manage the process, and that they fly together with the Americans at very small distances, including coordinating refueling points in the air.