Dear IAI personnel,
October 7th, 2023, will be remembered as a dark day in our country’s history. Since World War II, there has not been a single day in which more Jews have been kidnapped, murdered, massacred and butchered than in that accursed Shabbat. The shocking stories begin to emerge, and the descriptions of horrors that the human mind and soul fails to grasp and imagine are yet to be fully revealed. Exactly 50 years and a day since the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War, surprise and shock hit us again. Unlike the Holocaust, this time we have a strong army by our side and we are responsible for our own fate. Unlike Yom Kippur War, about which we read and heard from people who were actually there, now we’ve experienced firsthand – now it is our turn. The eyes of the people, our dearest friends and family members, are upon us.
What’s next? This is a war we have never experienced before. No more “Operation Gaza…”, no more “restoring quiet and security to the residents of the south…”, no more “restoring deterrence…” – no more. This time it is a real war for our future as a country, almost like past wars that we learned about in school and grew up with the stories told by pioneers who founded our country. I still feel hurt and bruised over what happened to us on that horrible Shabbat. I know that there are casualties in body and soul among us as well. At the end of the war, I will listen to all the stories and mourn – But right now, we have a mission to accomplish.
Therefore – we have to act with determination and accuracy. Some say that because we have a strong country and a strong army, we can afford (or “we must”) be moral – but I claim the opposite – the fact that we are human with moral values makes us a stronger army and a stronger country. Because this is what makes us act with great professionalism, responsibility and precision – and not out of revenge or loss of restraint. This is the time to fight fiercely and aggressively – to destroy our enemy. Everything Hamas touched will be destroyed and annihilated. Through all of this, we have to keep a 360-degree watchful eye, throughout the Middle East.
In my interpretation of the purpose of the war – to restore the ability of Israeli citizens to live peacefully in communities near all borders.
Today I am the squadron commander. A squadron that must act accurately on a tactical level, succeed in every mission, with measured steps, for the sake of our strategic purpose. We have to remember that we are operating in the most moral and justified methods possible.
My colleagues from IAI, my partners standing shoulder to shoulder with us – from my first day on duty to these days of war. Your reporting for duty, your support for the squadron, your close accompaniment and providing a 24/7 response, even on weekends, your commitment for anticipating challenges and bringing forward solutions, even before being asked for help, is so great that there are no words to express our full appreciation and gratitude to you!
Since the outbreak of this war, and until writing this letter, the squadron has carried out countless missions and over thousands flight hours, exposing the enemy, destroying targets in numbers exceeding even our predictions.
The force-building processes taking shape in the squadron are a real wonder. And it’s all thanks to you. When the war ends, much needs to be said about this squadron’s contribution to the war effort. I want to strengthen you, express my appreciation and gratitude; you are an integral part of our squadron. Your contribution can be felt in every aspect of the squadron’s work – and I know that great things lie ahead of us. I am blessed to have you by my side. You have a lot to be proud of.
Again, our tremendous appreciation. The mission that lies ahead is creating a different reality in our beloved and only homeland.
Yours, Squadron 200 Commander LTC F
