Page 145 - Airpower in 20th Century - Doctrines and Employment

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tHe military doCtrine of tHe israeli air forCe

teor, from Britain in 1953. Following that, additional, more advanced jet aircrafts
were purchased from France including Ouragan (1955) and Mystere (1956), and
Nord Atlas transport aircraft. Due to the shortage of aircraft, the air force operated
both advanced jets and old piston engine aircraft.
An aviation and technical school were opened. Candidates for pilot training
courses were handpicked and accepted only after very rigorous selection. The course
itself was of the highest standards, with no deviation from the standards set, and
only those of impeccable qualities and abilities were accepted. The technical school
trained technicians in accordance with the very high standards demanded by the air
force. A school for adjutant officers was also opened thus paving the way for what
has become an air force of top quality and professional standards, capable of ad-
vanced aerial manoeuvres.
The State of Israel within the borders defined after the War of Independence was
2
considered to be a very small country with a total area of 20,000 km , surrounded
by hostile countries from the north, south and east, and a sea-shore along its entire
western side. Its center is only 15 km from its narrowest point in the east to the sea in
the west. Due to its unsealed borders Israel suffered constantly from harassment and
attacks by groups of infiltrators (called feidayiin) who crossed the border from the
neighbouring countries, carried out attacks and crossed back into their own countries
the same night, having received equipment and support from those states.

Development of the Aerial Concept of the Israel Air Force
At this point in time a concept was evolving vis à vis the operation of the air force
and the missions it had to undertake.
From the beginning, the air force was perceived as a force that fought in the air
and from the air. It was clear that in any war, the air force must defend the State from
an expected aerial attack by the enemy. In addition the air force was already seen
as the central force in any foreseeable future war. Principles were developed upon
which the air force based its strategy:
a. Protecting Israel’s skies. A mission of top priority entailing the prevention of
any possibility of an aerial attack on Israel;
b. Air Superiority. Like every air force in the world, the idea of air supremacy had
to be aimed at in any war plan. From this point of view the air supremacy idea
included a very specific conception - attaining aerial supremacy in Israel’s skies
over and in any area in which the army is operating. In order to attain the goal
of air superiority a tactic was developed to attack the enemy air force as early as
possible, preferably at the very start of the war, and to destroy it while still on the
ground;
c. Participation in ground combat. Support of ground forces by attacking enemy
convoys, anti-aircraft and artillery positions, strongholds and other military tar-