One of Israel’s most experienced fighter pilots has effectively grounded himself in a novel attempt to adhere to austerity measures at a time of severe fiscal restraint in the Israel Defense Force.
Maj. Gen. Ran Goren, head of the Israeli air force’s Manpower Branch, has logged thousands of flying hours and more than 400 combat missions, most of them aboard advanced F-16 fighters. But on Thursday, he will fly his last mission.
Goren, who was recently passed over in the appointment of a new air force commander, said his decision is not related to any resentment he might have felt by the slight, but rather serves to set an example to others.
As all pilots must continue to pass periodic proficiency test flights to keep their licenses, Goren is basically putting himself out of business.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
