601 Squadron, also known as Manat (Hebrew:מנ"ט, an acronym for Merkaz Nisu'ey Tisa, Hebrew:מרכז ניסויי טיסה, lit. Flight Test Center), is the Israeli Air Force unit responsible for flight and weapons testing, airframe modification and avionics integration.
Although formed in 1978, Manat may have its origins in a flight test unit established as early as March 1950. Based at Tel Nof, Manat comprises a flight section, including test pilots and flight testing engineers, a technical section charged with aircraft maintenance, an avionics section, and a UAV section operating from Palmachim. The squadron operates a fully instrumented example of every Israeli Air Force frontline combat aircraft type on strength at any time. It also operates a number of UAVs and will utilize helicopter and transport types from other squadrons when necessary.
Among the aircraft currently operated by Manat are four F-16 Fighting Falcons, representing the different variants of the aircraft in service: F-16C Block 30 #301, F-16D Block 30 #020, F-16D Block 40 #601 and F-16I Block 52+ #401. F-16D #601, designated CK-1, was designed by Lockheed to meet specific flight test requirements. Another aircraft operated by the squadron is F-15I #201 (94-0286), the very first F-15I built. Manat has also participated in the evaluation of foreign aircraft types, including the Syrian MiG-23 whose pilot defected to Israel in October 1989 and a pair of MiG-29s loaned from a European air force in 1995. During its stay in Israel, one of the MiG-29s even carried the squadron emblem.
The squadron's main mission is the maritime patrol, as well as both the anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW). It also has assigned search and rescue (SAR), and mine laying as its secondary missions.
History
Officially formed in March 1986, 601 Squadron's creation originated from the acquisition of six former-Royal Australian Air ForceP-3B Orion aircraft by Portugal. These six aircraft were upgraded by Lockheed and OGMA and re-designated as aircraft of the P-3P variant.
Portugal had lacked a dedicated aircraft for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare since 1977, when its fleet of Lockheed P-2 Neptune was retired and 61 Squadron was disbanded. As such, until the entry in service of the P-3 Orion, the Portuguese Air Force relied on CASA C-212 Aviocar aircraft, from 401 and 502 Squadron, and on Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, from 501 Squadron, for maritime patrol and SAR missions. 601 Squadron is the heir of the traditions of the PoAF's previous maritime patrol squadrons, mainly 61 Squadron, 62 Squadron, and 91 Squadron.
Israel (/ˈɪzreɪəl/ or /ˈɪzriːəl/; Hebrew:יִשְׂרָאֵלYisrā'el; Arabic:إِسْرَائِيلIsrāʼīl), officially the State of Israel (Hebrew:מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵלMedīnat Yisrā'el[mediˈnat jisʁaˈʔel]; Arabic:دولة إِسْرَائِيلDawlat Isrāʼīl[dawlat ʔisraːˈʔiːl]), is a country in the Middle East, situated at the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba in the Red Sea. It shares land borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan on the east, the Palestinian territories (which are claimed by the State of Palestine and are partially controlled by Israel) comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the east and west, respectively, and Egypt to the southwest. It contains geographically diverse features within its relatively small area. Israel's financial and technology center is Tel Aviv, while Jerusalem is both its self-designated capital (unrecognised by the United Nations) and its most populous individual city under the country's governmental administration. Israeli sovereignty over Jerusalem is internationally disputed.
Israel David Bascón Gigato (born 16 March 1987 in Utrera, Seville), known simply as Israel, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right midfielder.
During the 2006 off-season, in August, vastly underplayed at Betis due to the presence of Joaquín in his position, Israel spent time at Chelsea on trial after a move to Real Madrid Castilla failed to materialise. His trial was unsuccessful, however, and the player then left for Mérida UD on a loan deal.
The Land of Israel (Hebrew: אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵלʼÉreṣ Yiśrāʼēl, Eretz Yisrael) is one of several names for an area of indefinite geographical extension in the Southern Levant. Related biblical, religious and historical English terms include the Land of Canaan, the Promised Land, the Holy Land, and Palestine (q.v. Israel (disambiguation)). The definitions of the limits of this territory vary between passages in the Hebrew Bible, with specific mentions in Genesis 15, Exodus 23, Numbers 34 and Ezekiel 47. Nine times elsewhere in the Bible, the settled land is referred as "from Dan to Beersheba, and three times it is referred as "from the entrance of Hamath unto the brook of Egypt” (1 Kings 8:65, 1 Chronicles 13:5 and 2 Chronicles 7:8).".
These biblical limits for the land differ from the borders of established historical Israelite and later Jewish kingdoms; over time these have included the United Kingdom of Israel, the two separated kingdoms of Israel (Samaria) and Judah, the Hasmonean Kingdom, and the Herodian Kingdom, which at their heights ruled lands with similar but not identical boundaries.
New footage of the Israeli Air Force Special experimental squadron (Manat -Flight Test Center 601 Squadron) in action!
published: 05 Oct 2012
Israeli Air Force Returns to Romania
The Israeli Air Force returned to training in joint Israel-Romania aviation exercises for the first time since last summer's Israeli military helicopter crash in Romania. Last summer's crash resulted in the deaths of six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian soldier.
Video: Produced by the Israel Air Force.
For more from the IDF:
http://www.idfblog.com/
http://twitter.com/idfspokesperson/
http://www.facebook.com/idfonline/
http://www.idf.il/english/
published: 15 Aug 2011
Remembering Billy Fiske: Legation Strategies' Billings on 601 Squadron, American RAF Pilot's Legacy
Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force for installations, environment & logistics, and president & CEO of Legation Strategies, discusses the reconstitution of the Royal Air Force's 601 Squadron and the legacy of unit pilot Billy Fiske during a May 4 interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian in Washington. Fiske was a two-time US Olympian who enlisted in the RAF and was killed in action during WWII while serving with the unit.
published: 05 May 2017
Israel Air Force Simulates Flying in Areas Under Constant Rocket Fire
The Red Squadron is one of the highest trained team of pilots in the Israeli Air Force. In this clip they are seen simulating the enemy on the ground and in the air against the Blue Squadron. Their job is to bring the exercise to an unprecedented difficult level for the Blue Squadron.
published: 23 Sep 2012
Israel's Air Force Is Prepared For All Scenarios Including A
Last week the Ramon air force base opened its doors to the international media networks allowing them to see at first hand the offensive and defensive capabilities, and talk with pilots and commanders. At the base one can see the Appache strike helicopters and squadrons of the F16I fighter jet planes whoparticipate in all military operations that enhance the country's security.11/24/08
The Israeli Air Force returned to training in joint Israel-Romania aviation exercises for the first time since last summer's Israeli military helicopter crash i...
The Israeli Air Force returned to training in joint Israel-Romania aviation exercises for the first time since last summer's Israeli military helicopter crash in Romania. Last summer's crash resulted in the deaths of six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian soldier.
Video: Produced by the Israel Air Force.
For more from the IDF:
http://www.idfblog.com/
http://twitter.com/idfspokesperson/
http://www.facebook.com/idfonline/
http://www.idf.il/english/
The Israeli Air Force returned to training in joint Israel-Romania aviation exercises for the first time since last summer's Israeli military helicopter crash in Romania. Last summer's crash resulted in the deaths of six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian soldier.
Video: Produced by the Israel Air Force.
For more from the IDF:
http://www.idfblog.com/
http://twitter.com/idfspokesperson/
http://www.facebook.com/idfonline/
http://www.idf.il/english/
Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force for installations, environment & logistics, and president & CEO of Legation Strategies, discusses...
Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force for installations, environment & logistics, and president & CEO of Legation Strategies, discusses the reconstitution of the Royal Air Force's 601 Squadron and the legacy of unit pilot Billy Fiske during a May 4 interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian in Washington. Fiske was a two-time US Olympian who enlisted in the RAF and was killed in action during WWII while serving with the unit.
Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force for installations, environment & logistics, and president & CEO of Legation Strategies, discusses the reconstitution of the Royal Air Force's 601 Squadron and the legacy of unit pilot Billy Fiske during a May 4 interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian in Washington. Fiske was a two-time US Olympian who enlisted in the RAF and was killed in action during WWII while serving with the unit.
The Red Squadron is one of the highest trained team of pilots in the Israeli Air Force. In this clip they are seen simulating the enemy on the ground and in the...
The Red Squadron is one of the highest trained team of pilots in the Israeli Air Force. In this clip they are seen simulating the enemy on the ground and in the air against the Blue Squadron. Their job is to bring the exercise to an unprecedented difficult level for the Blue Squadron.
The Red Squadron is one of the highest trained team of pilots in the Israeli Air Force. In this clip they are seen simulating the enemy on the ground and in the air against the Blue Squadron. Their job is to bring the exercise to an unprecedented difficult level for the Blue Squadron.
Last week the Ramon air force base opened its doors to the international media networks allowing them to see at first hand the offensive and defensive capabili...
Last week the Ramon air force base opened its doors to the international media networks allowing them to see at first hand the offensive and defensive capabilities, and talk with pilots and commanders. At the base one can see the Appache strike helicopters and squadrons of the F16I fighter jet planes whoparticipate in all military operations that enhance the country's security.11/24/08
Last week the Ramon air force base opened its doors to the international media networks allowing them to see at first hand the offensive and defensive capabilities, and talk with pilots and commanders. At the base one can see the Appache strike helicopters and squadrons of the F16I fighter jet planes whoparticipate in all military operations that enhance the country's security.11/24/08
The Israeli Air Force returned to training in joint Israel-Romania aviation exercises for the first time since last summer's Israeli military helicopter crash in Romania. Last summer's crash resulted in the deaths of six Israeli soldiers and one Romanian soldier.
Video: Produced by the Israel Air Force.
For more from the IDF:
http://www.idfblog.com/
http://twitter.com/idfspokesperson/
http://www.facebook.com/idfonline/
http://www.idf.il/english/
Kevin Billings, former assistant secretary of the US Air Force for installations, environment & logistics, and president & CEO of Legation Strategies, discusses the reconstitution of the Royal Air Force's 601 Squadron and the legacy of unit pilot Billy Fiske during a May 4 interview with Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian in Washington. Fiske was a two-time US Olympian who enlisted in the RAF and was killed in action during WWII while serving with the unit.
The Red Squadron is one of the highest trained team of pilots in the Israeli Air Force. In this clip they are seen simulating the enemy on the ground and in the air against the Blue Squadron. Their job is to bring the exercise to an unprecedented difficult level for the Blue Squadron.
Last week the Ramon air force base opened its doors to the international media networks allowing them to see at first hand the offensive and defensive capabilities, and talk with pilots and commanders. At the base one can see the Appache strike helicopters and squadrons of the F16I fighter jet planes whoparticipate in all military operations that enhance the country's security.11/24/08
601 Squadron, also known as Manat (Hebrew:מנ"ט, an acronym for Merkaz Nisu'ey Tisa, Hebrew:מרכז ניסויי טיסה, lit. Flight Test Center), is the Israeli Air Force unit responsible for flight and weapons testing, airframe modification and avionics integration.
Although formed in 1978, Manat may have its origins in a flight test unit established as early as March 1950. Based at Tel Nof, Manat comprises a flight section, including test pilots and flight testing engineers, a technical section charged with aircraft maintenance, an avionics section, and a UAV section operating from Palmachim. The squadron operates a fully instrumented example of every Israeli Air Force frontline combat aircraft type on strength at any time. It also operates a number of UAVs and will utilize helicopter and transport types from other squadrons when necessary.
Among the aircraft currently operated by Manat are four F-16 Fighting Falcons, representing the different variants of the aircraft in service: F-16C Block 30 #301, F-16D Block 30 #020, F-16D Block 40 #601 and F-16I Block 52+ #401. F-16D #601, designated CK-1, was designed by Lockheed to meet specific flight test requirements. Another aircraft operated by the squadron is F-15I #201 (94-0286), the very first F-15I built. Manat has also participated in the evaluation of foreign aircraft types, including the Syrian MiG-23 whose pilot defected to Israel in October 1989 and a pair of MiG-29s loaned from a European air force in 1995. During its stay in Israel, one of the MiG-29s even carried the squadron emblem.