New IAF Commander: Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin
Former Head of the IDF Planning Directorate, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, will replace Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who commanded the IAF for the past five years
IsraelDefense
| 14/08/2017
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, left, and Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin was officially appointed IAF Commander in a ceremony held last week in the Chief of General Staff’s office situated in IDF HQ. The ceremony was held in the presence of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, and the members of the General Staff Forum.
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, who previously served as Head of the IDF Planning Directorate, will replace Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who commanded the IAF during the past five years and will retire from the IDF after 40 years of military service.
Defense Minister Lieberman thanked Maj. Gen. Eshel for his long service and significant contribution to the security of the State of Israel: "Your years as IAF commander were very significant and fruitful in a very complex period." He also addressed Maj. Gen. Norkin and said, "You are assuming command and will immediately begin dealing with many challenges. You will need to continue making the long arm a much longer one."
"Amir influenced the IAF, the general staff and the entire IDF with his courageous and creative views and actions," added Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, IDF Chief of Staff. "Norkin, you served in every central position the IAF can offer to its most exceptional commanders. This appointment seems like the natural course of action after excelling throughout all your years of service," he concluded.
"We have unprecedented capabilities in our hands, and they are, in my opinion, the foundations of a change in Israel’s security strategy," said Maj. Gen. Eshel. "These capabilities exist thanks to my predecessors, who built the IAF's power, and thanks to all IAF personnel, who together form a professional, devoted and humble force."
Maj. Gen. Norkin said, "Amir is a brave pilot and aerial leader, under his command the IAF expanded its range of capabilities, in attack and defense, in the air and on the ground. On one wing lethal capabilities developed and on the other strategic relations with far and near air forces were built. I am aware of the extent of the challenge ahead. In the coming years, the IAF will integrate many capabilities that will widen its range of responsibilities and tighten its cooperation with the IDF’s branches and departments – in power buildup and operation."
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin was born in 1966 and drafted into the IAF Flight Academy in 1985. He commanded the "Knights of the Twin Tail" Squadron, which operates the "Baz" (F-15) from Tel-Nof AFB and the "Negev" Squadron when it was established as the first "Sufa" (F-16I) squadron in the IAF. Maj. Gen. Norkin also served as head of the IAF Operations Department and Air Division, IAF Chief of Staff and Head of the IDF Planning Directorate.
Former Head of the IDF Planning Directorate, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, will replace Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who commanded the IAF for the past five years
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, left, and Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin was officially appointed IAF Commander in a ceremony held last week in the Chief of General Staff’s office situated in IDF HQ. The ceremony was held in the presence of Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Chief of General Staff Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, and the members of the General Staff Forum.
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, who previously served as Head of the IDF Planning Directorate, will replace Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel, who commanded the IAF during the past five years and will retire from the IDF after 40 years of military service.
Defense Minister Lieberman thanked Maj. Gen. Eshel for his long service and significant contribution to the security of the State of Israel: "Your years as IAF commander were very significant and fruitful in a very complex period." He also addressed Maj. Gen. Norkin and said, "You are assuming command and will immediately begin dealing with many challenges. You will need to continue making the long arm a much longer one."
"Amir influenced the IAF, the general staff and the entire IDF with his courageous and creative views and actions," added Lt. Gen. Gadi Eizenkot, IDF Chief of Staff. "Norkin, you served in every central position the IAF can offer to its most exceptional commanders. This appointment seems like the natural course of action after excelling throughout all your years of service," he concluded.
"We have unprecedented capabilities in our hands, and they are, in my opinion, the foundations of a change in Israel’s security strategy," said Maj. Gen. Eshel. "These capabilities exist thanks to my predecessors, who built the IAF's power, and thanks to all IAF personnel, who together form a professional, devoted and humble force."
Maj. Gen. Norkin said, "Amir is a brave pilot and aerial leader, under his command the IAF expanded its range of capabilities, in attack and defense, in the air and on the ground. On one wing lethal capabilities developed and on the other strategic relations with far and near air forces were built. I am aware of the extent of the challenge ahead. In the coming years, the IAF will integrate many capabilities that will widen its range of responsibilities and tighten its cooperation with the IDF’s branches and departments – in power buildup and operation."
Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin was born in 1966 and drafted into the IAF Flight Academy in 1985. He commanded the "Knights of the Twin Tail" Squadron, which operates the "Baz" (F-15) from Tel-Nof AFB and the "Negev" Squadron when it was established as the first "Sufa" (F-16I) squadron in the IAF. Maj. Gen. Norkin also served as head of the IAF Operations Department and Air Division, IAF Chief of Staff and Head of the IDF Planning Directorate.
