117 Squadron (Israel)
| 117 Squadron | |
|---|---|
 First Jet Squadron
| |
| Active | 1953-2020; 2021- |
| Disbanded | September 2020 - as active Air Defense squadron; reestablished July 2021 as training squadron |
| Country | Israel |
| Branch | Israeli Air Force |
| Role | F-35I training (2021-); Air Defense (1953-2020) |
| Garrison/HQ | Nevatim Airbase (2021-); Ramat David Airbase (1953-2020) |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-35I (current); F-16C (previous); Gloster Meteor (first) |
The 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the First Jet Squadron, is initially a training squadron for F-35I Adir fighter pilots, based at Nevatim Airbase.
History
Before it closed in September 2020 after 67 years of service, the 117th was an F-16C fighter squadron based at Ramat David Airbase. The squadron operated Israel's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, flying the T7, F8 and FR9 variants.
In July 2021, Airforce Technology reported that the Israeli Air Force had re-established the 117th First Jet Squadron as a training squadron in the IAF’s F-35I Adir division, based at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. It will become an operational squadron as soon as there are enough jets arrived from the US.