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Tel Nof Air Base

Tel Nof Air Base is one of the Israeli Air Force's oldest and most vital strategic installations. Located near Rehovot in central Israel, it serves as a primary hub for heavy transport, strategic operations, and elite special forces units, making it a high-value target for regional adversaries.

The Zioneer Intelligence Desk
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Tel Nof Air Base (IAF Base 8) is a cornerstone of Israel's aerial superiority and national security infrastructure. Established during the British Mandate as RAF Ekron, it was transferred to the nascent IDF in 1948 and has since evolved into a multi-role strategic facility. The base is home to several of the IAF's most critical assets, including heavy-lift helicopter squadrons, fighter jet units, and the Flight Test Center (MANAT), which is responsible for testing and integrating new weapon systems and aircraft. Beyond its aviation roles, Tel Nof serves as the headquarters for the elite Unit 669 (Airborne Combat Search and Rescue) and the Paratroopers Training Center, underscoring its importance to both the Air Force and the broader IDF ground maneuver capabilities.

In the context of the current multi-front conflict with the Iranian regime, Tel Nof's central location and strategic density have placed it at the forefront of Israel's defensive and offensive posture. The base is a key node in the IAF's ability to project power across the Middle East, facilitating long-range transport and specialized missions. Consequently, it has become a primary target for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On June 8, 2026, the IRGC announced 'Operation Nasr,' claiming to have targeted Tel Nof with a ballistic missile barrage in retaliation for IDF strikes on Iranian radar infrastructure. While the IDF maintains a high level of operational security regarding base impacts, the targeting of Tel Nof represents a significant escalation in direct kinetic warfare between Tehran and Jerusalem. The base remains fully operational, continuing to support the IDF's mission to defend Israeli sovereignty and respond to threats from the Iranian-led axis.

03 · Related Coverage

Full Reports

  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards Claim Strikes on Israeli Airbases; IDF on High Alert

    The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced early Monday that it launched ballistic missiles at the Nevatim and Tel Nof airbases, framing the attack as a response to Israeli strikes on Iranian radar installations and a tribute to those killed in the '12-Day War.' While the IRGC claims its forces are prepared for a large-scale operation across all fronts, Israeli Cabinet Minister Ze'ev Elkin provided the first official confirmation that the IDF targeted a strategic petrochemical plant in Iran, signaling a significant expansion of the direct kinetic exchange between the two nations.

  • Iranian Supreme Leader Orders 'Operation Nasr' Against Israel, IRGC Says

    The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Sunday that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has formally ordered the Iranian armed forces to launch 'Operation Nasr' (Victory) against Israel. The declaration, which follows a night of intense kinetic exchanges, frames the offensive as a direct response to Israeli military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, signaling a significant escalation in the direct confrontation between the two nations.

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