In the midst of surging internal turmoil in Israel, caused by the effects of COVID 19, the 117 'First Jet Squadron' based in Ramat David Airbase has shut down. On September 30, 2020, having operated continuously for 67 years, the Squadron landed its F-16C Block 30 'Barak' aircraft in the Jezreel valley for the last time. In what turned out to be an ad hoc ceremony, thanks to the harsh restrictions imposed due to an outbreak of COVID, a contingent of pilots were forced to conduct 'fini flights' several weeks earlier, in an effort to create a more effectively socially-distanced event. 18 F16Cs participated in the flight which included several airframes from the 115 Flying Dragons based out of Ovda AFB. There was also a single photoship from the neighbouring 109 'Valley' Squadron. The closure of 117 Squadron comes as the first step in a widespread and in-depth re-organisation of the lAF's order of battle. The plan, codenamed 'Momentum' was conceived by Israeli Air Force Commander General Amikam Norkin, and it's intended to give the IAF flexibility towards planning for its future. Some of the plan's main objectives include.
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