Major General Norkin ordered the establishment of a team of experts to investigate the floods at Hatzor base that caused heavy financial damage • Last week's rainfall hit eight F-16s

Following the incident of an overflow at the Hatzor Air Force Base last week, IAF commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin held a preliminary investigation into the incident on Tuesday, and ordered a thorough investigation. The investigation was conducted in the presence of the Corps senior command forum and during which Major General Norkin said it was an incident inconsistent with the corps's expectation and therefore it is important to research, learn and apply it in order to prevent a similar event from recurring in the future.

More on:

• Allowed for publication: Air Force fighter jets were damaged by flooding during the recent storm

• Experts: The flooding at Hatzor Air Force Base is a failure that should not have occurred

• "Flood damage had operational significance"

The commander of the IAF ordered the establishment of an expert investigation team led by Lieutenant-Colonel T. to investigate the reasons for the fall of the Hatzor base from operational readiness following the floods last Thursday. It should also be emphasized that the IAF continued to hold operational readiness in all other corps bases.

Major General Amikam Norkin, Commander of the Air Force // Photo: Moshe Shay

In the meantime, yesterday, Hatzor base returned to operational and training operations and in the coming days will also return to the usability of the underground housing units (IDPs) used to store the aircraft, and the aircraft damaged by flooding. We did not evacuate the planes from the Dukes at the Hazor base at the Hazor base.

However, the commander of the IAF expressed appreciation to the commanders, technicians and construction personnel in the event's operation in the field, for their determination and actions that took three days to restore the base for the flights.

Documentation of damage at Hatzor base

As mentioned, the commander of the IAF emphasized that it is now of great importance to carry out a thorough investigation that includes examining the present case, the extent to which lessons learned from past events and the optimization of the interfaces between the IAF and the civilian authorities are being implemented. He also emphasized that the IAF would continue to maintain its preparedness and operations against the various arenas and challenges.

Recall, last Thursday, a torrential downpour struck eight IDF Type-16 aircraft at base in Hatzor after floodwaters infiltrated several underground dwellings and caused aircraft damage.