Throughout more than a year of stubborn fighting in various arenas, meaningful moments illuminated the path for the Air Force's servicemen; in saving lives, victorious cooperation with maneuvering forces, and in rescues from battle fire. 

During the "Iron Swords" war, many moments proved that there is quite a bit of light amidst all the darkness. 

For Captain M., an air mechanic in Squadron 124 ("The Revolving Sword"), the bright spot was an exciting closing of a circle that occurred in the war. 

"We rushed to rescue in Gaza in the winter, the weather was stormy," he recalls. "The helicopter crew was rushed to a high-casualty incident where armored personnel carriers were loaded with explosives. We realized that we had to get there as quickly as possible." Despite malfunctions during the flight and threats in the landing area, the helicopter crew, including Captain M., managed to quickly reach their destination. 

"When we landed, we met three wounded people. One of them was in very serious condition, with his leg in critical condition. On the flight to the hospital, the wounded received treatment that included blood transfusions and painkillers, and all measures were taken to stabilize their condition."

CLOSING THE CIRCLE

In a mission to rescue wounded people, the rescuers act professionally and quickly, so that the life-saving mission is carried out in the best possible way, and the wounded arrive as quickly as possible to receive medical treatment. Due to the necessity of the circumstances, the rescuers do not necessarily know the name of the wounded person, and do not always manage to maintain contact with him after the rescue operation. 

"About a month after that flight, I was sitting at home with my family and we watched the news. There was an article about an armored fighter who lost his leg and was rescued by helicopter, who said that he clearly remembered the look on the face of the airborne mechanic," says Captain M., an airborne mechanic from Squadron 124 who participated in the rescue operation of that fighter. 

"One day, I was added to a WhatsApp group called 'Meeting with Shahar Shiloni.' Shahar managed to get in touch with the helicopter crew. It turns out that I am the same airborne mechanic he remembered."

The circle was not long in coming. A few months ago, Shahar Shiloni, the same armored fighter who was rescued, arrived with his family at the helicopter squadron to meet the team that took part in his rescue from the battlefield and saved his life. "It was an emotional moment," shares Captain M. "We showed him the rescue video, took him to the helicopter in which we flew him. I still receive emotional updates from his parents about his condition, that he is able to walk. And even that he married his partner who was by his side the whole way."

THE RAINBOW AFTER THE STORM

Lieutenant A., a UH-60 (Owl) helicopter pilot in Squadron 124, completed his flight course a year ago and continued training immediately after. "I saw myself in the assault helicopter formation right from the course, helping and saving lives."

Lieutenant A.'s first rescue flight was his bright spot, which he remembers to this day. "I was on standby in the south to evacuate wounded people from Gaza," he says. "Within minutes of the takeoff, you have to be in the air. This is part of an operational shift that lasts 24 hours." When he took off in the early morning hours, Lieutenant A. found himself dealing with difficult weather conditions for the flight: "There was a flood, and the rain was so heavy that it was difficult to see meters ahead. The sun was low and fog covered the landscape, there were a lot of low clouds that made it difficult to see the altitude at which you are supposed to fly, but in front of my eyes was only the life of that fighter who was injured."

The investment paid off, and the long road he took to operational readiness proved itself. "Everything was exactly before the training, at every given stage I knew what had to happen and how to do everything," boasts Lieutenant A. "We arrived within about half an hour, and the wounded, a reservist who had stepped on an explosive device, won his life back. I was lucky to save his life."

GUARDIAN OF MY BROTHER

There is no doubt that finding bright spots in the current period is not an easy task. "On October 7th, we were assigned to the squadron, and amidst the heavy workload, it was important for me to check on my friends serving in the front lines," recalls Lieutenant Z., a drone operator in Squadron 166 (the "Firebirds"). 

"They were fighting in communities like Kissufim and at the Pega outpost. Later that day, I heard that a good friend had been killed at the outpost." Lieutenant Z. completed operational training shortly before the war began and participated in all of the squadron's missions. 

"I remember that on one of the sorties, I looked at a system that showed the activities of the forces in the field. That day, my best friend entered Lebanon with his division for the first time," he says. "I saw him advance and enter the head of the force. At that exact moment, a message appeared in front of me on the screen - a fear of terrorists. A few seconds passed before the squadron's UAV was in the air, searching for the threat along with the fighters. 

It was amazing to see the way the UAV array fought alongside the maneuvering forces. I was there for my friend, we relied on each other and it gave me strength. It was a moment of light for me."