New IAF chief: Israel will continue to strengthen its global status

Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin officially took up the position of Israeli Air Force commander on Monday, succeeding outgoing IAF chief Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who is retiring after 40 years in the Israel Defense Forces.

The change-of-guard ceremony was held at the IAF's Tel Nof base in central Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot attended, as did a number of former IAF commanders and a guest from abroad, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein, who presented Eshel with the Legion of Merit medal on behalf of the U.S. military.

The Legion of Merit is awarded to people who have excelled in their roles and made notable achievements and can be awarded to any member of the branches of the U.S. military, as well as to political and military representatives of foreign countries.

In his speech at the ceremony, Eizenkot addressed Eshel, saying: "Amir, you have 40 years in the IDF behind you, nine and a half in the General Staff HQ, and over five years as commander of the air force. ... In these years, you have led the air force with courage, creative thinking, and professionalism. Under your command, the air force operated with success in Operation Pillar of Defense [in 2012] and Operation Protective Edge [in 2014].

"The air force was routinely a decisive element in the IDF's ability to strengthen its deterrence, keep war at bay, and allow the State of Israel to live in security and flourish. I thank you for your partnership and your brave comradeship, and in the name of the entire IDF, I would like to express my appreciation for 40 years of service spearheading the activity securing Israel."

Eshel said, "In recent years, the air force's defensive and offensive capabilities have been tested in thousands of missions, in five areas, at close range and thousands of kilometers from home: Threats have been thwarted, targets have been destroyed, rockets and aircraft have been intercepted and shot down. The air force's achievements are of strategic importance to the nation, the Middle East, and far beyond our borders."

Norkin said, "In the years to come, the air force will continue to strengthen its ties to other air forces, near and far, and strengthen Israel's status in the region and in the world."

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