The arrival of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom in Israel in the late 1960s marked a pivotal moment in the Israeli Air Force's (IAF) history, significantly enhancing its operational capabilities amid rising regional tensions.
The first 50 F-4E Phantoms entered Israeli territory in 1969. They were delivered despite the Pentagon’s evaluation that the sale would harm U.S.-Arab relations, and against the prospect of a U.S.-Soviet agreement to limit arms sales to the region. Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser’s provocations essentially sealed U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson’s decision to sell the
In July 1970, Israel took the initiative to carry out Operation Rimon 20 in the air on its southern front. In a carefully planned ambush, Israel Air Force planes enticed