The Israeli Air Force began during the 1948 War of Independence

The Israeli Air Force began during the 1948 War of Independence built on the "Sherut Avir" that existed for six months prior and that was planned with the assistance of those who had served in the RAF and USAF

The destination to learn more about Israel's Air Force today is the Hatzerim Air Force Base, home to the IAF Museum and Flight Academy

This photo essay portrays an Israeli Air Force Graduation and Air Show at the Hatzerim air force base in the Negev desert (located not far from the city of Beer Sheva) which took place on December 24th, 2018.

The Hatzerim base was the first airfield constructed by Israel (the IAF had inherited or built upon other air fields from the British). The base, constructed over a number of years, become operational in the fall of 1966 and, prior, in March of that year the flight school had opened in this location. The program is intense - said to be the most intense in the Israel Defense Forces, lasting three years and involving five stages of training and education that leads to professional aviation proficiency as pilots, navigators, transportation pilots, helicopter pilots, and combat pilots.

The base is also the location of a historical survey of the IAF. A museum open to the public chronicles its history, missions and operations, and personalities of the air force, with exhibition of more than 150 planes and aircraft (included those captured from the enemy), as well today's aircraft in use that can at times be seen and heard flying overhead.

The flight academy Course 177 graduation featured marching band and cadets, and assignment of rank (in most cases lieutenant). Two days later in another graduation ceremony they would receive their wings - aircrew member insignia. The graduates will serve seven years.

The photographs here also present some of the air show moments of this event - planes and copters - and there is a short video at the end of the photo essay that will help amplify the photography.

My ticket to the Air Force Academy graduation ceremony (חשיפת דרגות, the ceremony that awards rank) at the Hatzerim base near Beer Sheva. The theme was 70 years since Operation Horev, which encompassed, as mentioned on the IAF website (www.iaf.org.il), "243 sorties, aerial dogfights and multiple bombings in the Negev Desert" and was "the largest IDF operation during the 1948 War of Independence. The goal: capturing the Negev and expelling the Egyptian military from Israel's territory"

Band practice and some moments of relaxation before the ceremony begins

The Hatzerim Israel Air Force Museum features history, guided tours, and about 150 aircraft. Many are hoping that it will get the funding to improve its appearance and properly preserve the equipment and military relics. It's open Sun-Thurs, 08-9906888.

The ceremony and air show will begin momentarily, and most of the crowd is already seated. There is a special section for photographers on the right side of the observation area (not visible).

The cadets enter, marching in formation

Saluting the graduates

Arrival of top brass

Flyover by three helicopters - wishing success to the graduates from their powerful loudspeakers

A closeup of the large screen has the feel of animation - and notice the varied expressions of the individual people in the audience

Nice cameras, some "top-of-the-line" - but the aircraft on the base (and over the base) still cost more. One stealth fighter, for instance, costs more than 100M

One of two attack helicopters that will fire on a target

A Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk (nicknamed the Yanshuf - Owl), a "multirole" medium assault and transport helicopter

Demonstration of rescue evacuation of injured on battlefield utilizing the Black Hawk

The aerobatic team flying Beechcraft T-6 Texan II single-engine turboprop aircraft vertically in formation. These planes are used for pilot training and feature Rada-manufactured debriefing systems that are the same as that installed in IAF fighter jets the pilots will use on active duty

Lockheed Martin F-35

Friends and classmates gather after the graduation program ends...

The following video (6 min) shows moments of the IAF Academy graduation ceremony and a couple flights - helicopters flying overhead and offering congratulations and a cargo plane dropping supplies by parachute (the other planes, including fighter jets, went by too quickly for me to catch them). Seen in this clip are also some of the marching in formation and awarding of rank. The air force program is a three-year intensive training and only a small percentage make it till the completion.

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Judah S. Harris is a photographer, filmmaker, speaker and writer based in Jerusalem and New York. A noted photo educator and founder of Judah S. Harris Photo Workshops, he teaches group workshops and offers one-on-one coaching sessions for all skill levels. Judah's eloquent narrative photography has been featured on the covers of more than 40 works of literary fiction, in advertising all over the world, and on the pages of a variety of Jewish and general publications ranging from The New York Times to Mishpacha Magazine. View Judah's Event Photography at judahsharris.com/folio and Journalistic Photography at judahsharris.com/journalistic

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Watch an interview with Judah S. Harris to learn about his approach to photographing special events and celebrations, as well as some of his philosophy on photographing people (4 min, Farbinder 2015)

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The Israeli Air Force began during the 1948 War of Independence built on the "Sherut Avir" that existed for six months prior and that was planned with the assistance of those who had served in the RAF and USAF

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