69 Squadron (Hammers): An Israeli Air Force squadron established in July 1948 during the War of Independence to operate three B-17 Flying Fortresses acquired covertly, initially based at Hatzerim Airbase. Nicknamed the “Hammers,” it transitioned through aircraft including the F-4 Phantom II (Kurnass, from reactivation in 1969, including reconnaissance RF-4E variants) before reforming in 1998 to operate the F-15I Ra’am (Thunder) multirole strike fighter. The squadron has an extensive combat history across multiple wars, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War (first mission bombing Cairo on 15 July, 47 sorties in Operation Yoav), Suez Crisis (1956, reactivated briefly for 8 sorties against Egyptian forces), War of Attrition (1969-1970, SEADSEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses): A military operation designed to neutralize, destroy, or temporarily degrade enemy air defense systems to al... More missions and downing Soviet MiGs in Operation Rimon 20), Yom Kippur War (1973, 789 sorties with 9 aircraft lost and 10 victories), 1982 Lebanon War (152 sorties destroying Syrian SAMs in Operation Mole Cricket 19), Second Lebanon War (1,400 sorties), Operation Orchard (2007, strike on Syrian nuclear reactor), and recent operations including the 2024 strike eliminating Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. Deactivated in 1957 due to parts shortages, it remains active today at Hatzerim as the IAF’s long-range heavy bomber arm.
