Approximately 20 Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) technicians were integrated last week into an underground shelter at Tel Nof Airbase's Squadron 106, which operates F-15 B/C/D aircraft, according to N12 military correspondent Nitzan Shapira. The technicians will begin work on the fighter jets as part of a growing IDF effort to expand Haredi service in operational technical roles.
The latest intake of Haredi technicians at Tel Nof adds to a broader IAF initiative to bring ultra-Orthodox servicemen into direct aircraft maintenance roles. As The Zioneer reported on June 11, the IAF earlier established a new Haredi technical unit at Tel Nof, with 15 Haredi soldiers qualifying as Level A F-15 mechanics. Last week's integration places 20 technicians in an underground reinforced shelter — part of Squadron 106's permanent infrastructure — where they will work on the F-15 B/C/D variants. The squadron, known as 'Spearhead' (106), is one of the IAF's frontline fighter units. No timeline for further Haredi drafts at Tel Nof was provided, but the program follows two earlier Haredi technician battalions established at Ramat David Airbase over the past two years.
3 developments
- DevelopingFirst Haredi draft battalion begins service at Tel Nof airbase
- DevelopingOver 120 alleged draft dodgers assigned to Haredi tracks in IDF
- StrongPolice hand over 19 Haredi draft dodgers to military police in Tel Aviv
- DevelopingTraffic police hold Haredi draft evader on Highway 85, activists call for protest
Source and signal
- Internal intake