Tayeset 115 (IDFAF)

IDF/AF F-16A block 10 #233 of the 115th "Flying Dragon" Squadron touching down on the runway on August 8th, 2005.

The squadron had been disbanded for over a decade when it was reactivated to receive a batch of older block 15 airframes coming from the disbanded 144 squadron. These airframes originally came from the US in a program called Peace Marbel IV back in 1994. Originally delivered as block 10 airframes, they have seen extensive modification to bring them up to block 15 standards.

The reason to reactivate 115 squadron was for the Israeli Air Force to have a dedicated aggressor squadron. Equal to the findings of the USAF back in the 1970’s, the Israeli’s found that a dedicated aggressor squadron in house posed a lot of opportunities. Firstly, they aren’t dependant on their US counterparts for the necessary training. Secondly, a pool of highly qualified pilots is trained on the largest weapon platform in the inventory. Thirdly, the older block 15 airframes are perfectly suited for this job with their lighter weight then later blocks and these airframes can be used for an extended time since they are deemed a little outdated for regular military missions. In the mean time, these airframes are kept in a flyable state, which is quite important for the IDFAF as reinforcements in an eventual conflict.

Although used as agressors, the aircraft keep their standard Israeli sand-brown livery. Israel hopes to lower costs of international deployments to such places as 'Red Flag' and 'Maple Flag' by reproducing these exercises at home.

• 1948: Activation of the squadron in Tel Nof
• 1948: DH-98A 'Dragon Rapide' (part of Canaf 8)
• 1956: 'Mosquito' PR.16
• 1960: Disbanded
• 1968: Activation of the squadron in Hatzerim
• 1968: A-4H 'Skyhawk' (part of Canaf 6)
• 1972: A-4N 'Skyhawk' (Nevatim AB, part of Canaf 28)
• 1996: Disbanded
• 2005: Activation of the squadron in Ovda
• 2005: F-16A/B 'Fighting Falcon' (part of Canaf 10)

• All Tayeset 115 F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database (past and current aircraft)
• Current Tayeset 115 F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database