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Air Force command bunker

The Air Force command bunker, commonly known in Israel as 'The Pit' (HaBor), is the underground strategic headquarters from which the Israeli Air Force (IAF) manages its most sensitive and complex operations. Located deep beneath the Kirya military complex in Tel Aviv, it serves as the nerve center for national air defense and offensive long-range missions.

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The Air Force command bunker is the primary operational hub for the Israeli Air Force, designed to ensure continuity of command even under extreme conditions, including direct missile attacks. It is equipped with advanced communication systems and real-time intelligence feeds, allowing the IAF Commander and the IDF Chief of the General Staff to oversee multi-front engagements simultaneously. In the Israeli security doctrine, 'The Pit' represents the transition from routine military activity to high-stakes strategic warfare.

Historically, the bunker has been the site where the most significant decisions in Israel's recent military history were made, from the interception of massive drone swarms to the execution of deep-penetration strikes against regional adversaries. It houses not only the IAF leadership but also specialized desks for intelligence, logistics, and coordination with other military branches and international allies, such as the United States.

In June 2026, the bunker became the focal point of global attention as LTG Eyal Zamir and IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Omer Tishler utilized the facility to direct a large-scale retaliatory operation against the Iranian regime. This operation followed a direct ballistic missile barrage launched by Iran toward northern Israel. From this underground center, the IDF leadership managed a wave of strikes targeting strategic military nodes in Tehran, Tabriz, and Isfahan, including surface-to-surface missile sites and UAV warehouses. The use of the bunker during this period underscores its role as the essential platform for managing Israel's most critical security challenges and ensuring national resilience during direct kinetic confrontations.