Encounters between Israeli fighter pilots in their French-built Mystere-IV’s and Egyptian pilots in the Soviet-built MIG-17’s since the time of the Sinai campaign have given the Israeli pilots a feeling of confidence and security, Brig. General Ezer Weizmann, Chief of the Israeli Air Force, said today.
The Israeli airmen had taken the measure of the Egyptians during the Sinai campaign, Col. Weizmann noted, when the Arabs flew the MIG-15. But the MIG-17, introduced later, was an “unpleasant unknown. ” In recent encounters, however, when Egyptian pilots violated Israeli airspace, the Israeli pilots and their Mysteres successfully coped with the MIG-17’s, Col. Weizmann said, pointing out that this had encouraged the Israelis.
The air commander’s comments appeared in a message he wrote for the Air Force Bulletin in connection with the observance of Air Force Day on August 19. Referring to the high costs of training and maintenance. Col Weizmann observed that when it took only six minutes to reach Tel Aviv from Egyptian bases or Haifa from Syrian bases, “no price is too high when Israel’s security is at stake. “
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