ISRAEL
Douglas Poster courtesy of Gary Verver


Israel was the largest customer for export Skyhawks. IAF Skyhawks became operational in 1968 and have been used extensively in combat operations since that time. As of mid-2005, advanced IAF pilot training was still being conducted with the A-4N and TA-4J versions, by the "Flying Tigers" of 102 Squadron at Hatzerim Air Base. A number of stored A-4E/H/N aircraft are located at Ovda Air Base.

08 DEC 2004:
Advanced Israel Air Force A-4 Performs its Inaugural Flight!

RADA Electronic Industries Ltd. announced that the first upgraded Israel Air Force (IAF) A-4 "Skyhawk" had successfully completed its first flight. The A-4 Skyhawk is the IAF's advanced trainer. The upgraded aircraft has new electronics and the upgrade program was to be completed by the third quarter of 2005.

IAF Squadron 102 / FTS Unit Pages


Due to the tight security surrounding the IAF very little information is available concerning unit deployment and activities. Above is the link to the Flight Training Squadron and below is list of additional units that utilized the Skyhawk. As more information becomes available for these units, individual unit pages will be created.
  • 109 Squadron (The Valley Squadron): JUL 1951: The 109 squadron is established flying the Mosquito FB.6 and PR.16.
    1956: The unit was dis-established.
    AUG 1956: Re-established flying the Mystere IVA. 31 DEC 1967: 1st A-4 unit formed at Ramat-David AFB flying the A-4H. Aircraft were assigned 2 digit side numbers. A-4H #03 shot down MiGs. Later the digit "1" was added for a three digit side number.
    Post 1967 war: the aircraft went to a three digit 2xx numbering scheme.
    At some point the squadron also operated the A-4N.
    1973: 109 participated in combat actions during the Yom Kippur War.
    1977: The unit migrated to the Kfir C-1.
    198x: The 109 migrated to the Kfir C-2.
    1991: The 209 migrated to the F-16.

  • 110 Squadron (The Knights of The North Squadron):
    1953: The 110 squadron was formed the Mosquito.
    1957: the 110 squadron transitioned to Vatour fighter/bombers.
    1962: Meteor aircraft were added to the squadron.
    NOV 1964: Combat operations were conducted, mainly with the Vatour.
    JUN 1967: Combat operations were conducted, mainly with the Vatour.
    1972: flying the A-4E.
    1977: received the A-4H from the "Valley Squadron" which had converted to the Kfir.
    1980: using A-4N and TA-4s.
    1981: the 110 squadron began operating F-16A/B.
    1988: the squadron upgraded to F-16C/D.
    2005: the 110 squadron is flying only the F-16C.

  • 115 Squadron (The Flying Dragons):
    1969: rxed 24 A-4E.
    1990: operating several Skyhawk variants.
    Mid 1990: F-16A/B.

  • 116 Squadron 116 (The Flying Wing):
    1956: Established flying P-51 D Mustangs and Mystere IVA that had been transferred from the 101 Squadron.
    Suez War: 116 was nicknamed "The Wirecutters Squadron" for flying through Egyptian telegraph wire to interrupt communications.
    1961: The P-51D Mustang is phased out and 116 is flying only the Mystere IVA.
    1970: The 116 squadron began flying the A-4E Skyhawk.
    1973: The A-4E Skyhawks participate in the Yom Kippor War.
    1975: The unit is flying the A-4N Skyhawk.
    197x: TA-4s are added to the unit.
    199x: 116 migrates to the F-16.

  • 140 Squadron 140 (The Golden Eagle squadron).
    1969: 140 is established as the first unit with A-4E Skyhawks flying out of Etzion AFB.
    197x: The 140 squadron receives the A-4N Skyhawk and transfers its A-4Es to the 143 Squadron.
    1981: The squadron moves to Ramon AFB.
    1986: 140 converts to the F-16A/B.

  • 141 Squadron (The Goring Ram Squadron):
    1974: The 141 flew A-4E, A-4F and A-4H.
    1978: The 141 migrates to the A-4N and a few TA4H.
    2005: 141 squadron was inactive.

  • 143 Squadron (The Smashing Parrot Squadron):
    1976: The unit flew the A-4E and A-4N.
    1979: The 143 migrated to the Kfir C-2.
    2005: 143 squadron was inactive.


Skyhawk Deliveries to Israel:
1968: 48 A-4H BuNo 155242 thru 155289
1969: 34 A-4H BuNo 157395 thru 157428
1969: 8 A-4H BuNo 157918 thru 157925
1969: 6 TA-4H BuNo 157429 thru 157434
1969: 4 TA-4H BuNo 157926 thru 157929
19xx: 11 TA-4H BuNo 159546 - 159556
19xx: 4 TA-4H BuNO 159795 - 159798
1971: 60 A-4E (Ex USA Navy)
1972: 117 A-4N BuNo BuNo 1587 26 thru 158743, 159035 thru 159052, 159075 thru 159098, 159515 thru 159545 and 159799 thru 159824
1972 to 1973: 4 TA-4F (Ex USA Navy)
OCT 1973: 30 A-4E/F (Ex USA Navy)
NOV/DEC 1973: 16 A-4E/F (Ex USA Navy)
1974: 17 TA-4J (Ex USA Navy)
1992-1994: 3 TA-4J 747, 748, 749 Ex-US Navy ( 7 others were rejected)


Skyhawk Sales (50):
1980: 14 A-4E Sold to Indonesia
1980: 2 TA-4H Sold to Indonesia
1981: 1 A-4E Sold to Indonesia
1982: 16 A-4E Sold to Indonesia
2000: 4 A-4N 305, 335, 373 Sold to BAE Systems
2001: 2 TA-4F 748, 749 Sold to ATSI in USA
2001: 1 TA-4J 251 Sold to ATSI in USA
2001: 10 A-4N 321, 344, 413, Sold to ATSI in USA


Reported Skyhawk retirements:
10 A-4s to the target range.
IAF Museums; A-4E #885, A-4E #891, A-4F #611, A-4H #222, A-4H #230, A-4H #261, A-4H #270, A-4N #230, A-4N #379, TA-4J #747 and #328 at the Ramat David display.

To the "Skyhawks Around the World Page