Senior Air Force officer: "We were wrong when we didn't clear the aircraft complexes"

After causing damage worth millions of shekels at Hatzor's base, a senior officer in the army estimated that the eight fighter jets hit by the flooding would return to fly between a few days and a week. He added that "we will investigate and learn insights"

Senior Air Force officer: "We were wrong when we didn't clear the aircraft complexes"

(In the video: Relocation helicopters from the US

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A senior officer of the Air Force said this morning that it was a mistake not to evacuate the underground housing (IDFs) that were flooded due to air damage damage, after suffering heavy damage worth millions of shekels to eight fighter jets at Hatzor base in the south of the country. We are in damage control. From past experience, the order (the order of forces) will return quickly to fly. A few days a week. "

Today, the basis of the damage was returned to operations, including the squadrons in which the eight aircraft were hit. "It was a mistake not to evacuate these JDCs. We will be questioned and learn insights, ”said the senior officer.

Damage to the Air Force was caused last week, by flooding and flooding in the south of the country, when fighter squadrons were hit. Following the overcrowding of one of the DCOs, where the fighter jets are parked, aircraft damage - which has sunk mud - has been caused.

The IAF has launched an investigation, which will focus, among other things, on the preparedness for weather damage, which the various authorities have warned of in advance. According to the senior officer, "We have been in the corps for the weather in all the corps bases, including providing orders and instructions, from the north to the south."

He said that human life and sensitive equipment were the top priorities, and also at the base in the southern part of the country, IDPs were evacuated where there was a potential for flooding. 50 million liters (50,000 cubic meters) of water washed down the base and knocked down concrete walls, ”the senior officer said.

The senior officer emphasized that "the activities of the people prevented greater damage and harm to human life. The ATL (Technology and Logistics Division) joined the effort to drain the water. Civilian and military officials who came to assist in the incident. "

Last week, a river overflowed, causing flooding at the Southern Air Force Base. As a result of the flood, subterranean dwellings were flooded. In addition to aircraft damage, the 669th Air Force Rescue Squad was shot into the area to rescue soldiers who had climbed onto the roof of a building due to the flooding. The base veterans said a similar case happened in 1992 when the same river overflowed.

In another incident that occurred last week, a "Resin" Air Force (Apache Long Come) helicopter collided with a flock of birds. One was pumped into the engine, while another two collided with the body of the helicopter. There were no casualties in the incident, but the helicopter, which flew low, caused considerable damage.

Following the collision, the helicopter pilot was forced to land. "Unfortunately from time to time, we run into cases of bird injuries," said a professional. "While some hit the helicopter body or the canopy, some hit more dangerous parts such as the engine and caused a fire or blocked the air suction opening. The helicopter crew is trained to handle a variety of situations in this situation as well."

The factor emphasized that a "resin" helicopter would have two engines designed to overcome such incidents. "If one of them stops working there is a way to navigate to the ground." According to sources, it was not yet clear if the helicopter returned to activity.

Damages are valued at millions of shekels. Aircraft (Photo: AP)

F-18 fighter jet on American aircraft carrier George W. Bush, June 22, 2017 (Photo: AP)

The helicopter damaged by the bird collision

Israeli low-flying Israeli Air Force Rescue (Apache Long Bow) helicopter collided with a flock of birds last week, resulting in helicopter damage (Photo: Untitled)

The helicopter damaged by the bird collision

Israeli low-flying Israeli Air Force Rescue (Apache Long Bow) helicopter collided with a flock of birds last week, resulting in helicopter damage (Photo: Untitled)