Major N’s Moonlit Mission: An Observational Commentary
Well, folks, it seems like Major N. has become the shining star of an action film that only the most adventurous of us would dare to script. Imagine being deep in the desert, moon rising like it has just dropped a surprise party on your quiet evening. “It is beginning,” he says, but I bet what he’s really thinking is, “What’s the Wi-Fi password out here?”
On a more serious note, Major N. recounts a relentless yet calculated military operation against Iran. He knows the score; it’s a long game, one that’s been two decades in the making. “Iran is constantly on our radar,” he informs us, and I can’t help but think, hasn’t this been a recurring theme? Like a sitcom that just refuses to be canceled, no matter how many bad seasons it has!
“The Air Force has been preparing for an attack on Iran for at least 20 years.”
Now there’s some foresight for you! This isn’t just a “let’s-wing-it” situation; they’ve got strategy meetings filled with coffee cups, tense faces, and probably a PowerPoint presentation that looks like something out of a spy movie. Major Anael also chimes in with the emotional weight of every flight—his comrade kidnapped, his heart heavy with responsibility. “We will never forget the hostages in Gaza,” he promises, proving that humanity still exists even in war’s chaos.
But don’t worry, Major N. isn’t spilling the beans at the family dinner table. Oh no, this isn’t a casual chat about how school was today—it’s about flying over enemy lines. “I won’t say ‘I bombed Iran,’” he states. Could you imagine? “Kids, Dad played a little game of ‘Operation: Desert Boo!’”
And let’s face it, as any good father knows, there are some stories you just keep to yourself. Not because of the thrilling nature, but because you’d rather not explain to the kids why the sky suddenly exploded into a firework’s gallery at bedtime!
“Of course it crosses your mind – what happens when things don’t go as planned. But as soon as we take off, we only focus on the mission, nothing else comes to mind.”
Now that’s a quote that resonates! Whether dodging missiles mid-air or dodging awkward family conversations, it’s about focus and determination, right? Flying into hostile territory? Well, that raises the stakes a tad higher than the usual Monday rush hour, doesn’t it?
As the plot thickens, these brave souls need to face risks every single time they launch. Can you imagine the camaraderie in the air? “If something happens, I just fly faster,” says one pilot. Honestly, that might be the very embodiment of ‘going the extra mile,’ or in this case, going the extra thousand miles to Iran!
“It’s less about the targets than the fact that we dropped a bomb on Iranian soil.”
When the aftermath of the operation unfolds, one has to wonder about the vibes back home. Major S. paints a picture of his family’s pride—and perhaps a little worry—as they hear the news pouring in. The human element remains, even in such unshakable circumstances. Despite all the artillery and tactics, there lies a simple truth: family and duty come hand in hand.
In closing, it’s remarkable to think about missions like these that shape our world while keeping morale alive among so much uncertainty. At the end of the day, whether they’re facing military foes or the inevitable awkwardness of dinner conversation, these pilots display strength that’s truly history-making. As Major N. gazes at the moon, he acknowledges one simple thing: “This will be a night to remember.” It’s not just about the thrill of combat; it’s about the duty in their hearts, the sky they guard, and yes—making sure not to drop bombshells at the dinner table!
“The whole operation went according to plan. We were deep in the desert, the moon was just rising. I said to myself: It is beginning. I will remember this moment forever,” says Major N., a combat navigator, who recounted his mission over enemy territory during which Israel retaliated against Iran.
“After landing, it took me a moment to process and understand what I had done. Gaza is here, Lebanon is a bit far, but Iran – that’s far and we don’t usually go there” – he told the pilot for Ynet.
“The Air Force has been preparing for an attack on Iran for at least 20 years”
says Major N. “He is constantly on our radar. It’s no secret that Iran is an important theater of war, but until now it seemed far away and out of reach. Now we got there.”
The 119th Airlift Squadron stationed at Ramon Air Force Base prepared meticulously for the mission. “We were all here during the holidays,” says Major Anael from the base’s control tower. “On Friday, we started the day early, continued preparations and exercises, and commanders briefed soldiers. We make sure to maintain unity, we discuss together what we are doing. And we will never forget the hostages in Gaza. A close friend of mine, Omer Wenker, was also kidnapped. Every time a plane takes off, I think of him and our fighting friends, and we’re protecting them from above.”
‘Dad doesn’t come back saying “I bombed Iran”.
On the morning of October 7, Major N. woke up to sirens in Jerusalem. By 8 o’clock in the morning he was already on his way to his squadron, and by early afternoon he was already in the sky above Gaza. “The starting point then and now is completely different,” he says. “What happened surrounds us all. We are here 24/7. In the days before the strike, we mainly concentrated on the preparations: ground scenarios, studying the terrain and aerial models. We think about what unexpected situations can arise – in the aircraft, in the systems or in the field itself.
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“Of course it crosses your mind – what happens when things don’t go as planned. But as soon as we take off, we only focus on the mission, nothing else comes to mind.
Our heads are full of data, figuring out how to complete the mission and what to do at each stage. It’s a huge privilege. We know that this is a historic event, that we are doing something unprecedented on this scale. From the moment we enter enemy airspace, all our senses are heightened and remain so until we reach home. We are alert, razor sharp. Once we get back, we allow ourselves to relax. After landing, gathering information from our teammates, we realize that the attack was successful, and that gives us great satisfaction.”
Major N., married with five children, did not tell her family the details of that night. “My wife hears the same news as everyone else, so she can put two and two together. My family and friends quickly put the picture together. My wife doesn’t mind the distance I fly; it’s part of being in the Air Force.
And dad doesn’t go home saying “I bombed Iran”. They know enough anyway. The children are happy and proud.”
“Man feels a sense of duty when he takes care of the sky
“Usually we fly on combat missions. But a mission to Iran is something completely different,” explains Major Anael. “Hearing a plane take off…not always going smoothly. We must maintain a safe and functional base for all aircraft departing and returning safely. It’s very touching to say “Cleared for Takeoff” and send those planes that far. We see where they are going and we feel responsible for them, we follow who gets off and who gets on. Let’s watch the sky.
It’s an incredible feeling to know that the machines have completed their mission. To know that we are part of something historic.
When we learned that they had finished the offensive operation, our hearts sank because for the pilots this is the most dangerous moment, then it becomes clear what the enemy is doing”.
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“The night didn’t end with the blow,” he added. Major R. “The moment it’s over and everyone’s landed, we’re waiting for the next deployment. If you had asked me a year ago if something like this would happen, I wouldn’t have thought it likely. In the first days of the war, we were in a state of shock, we did not expect this. The feelings were intense and stayed with us. We prepared for a few scenarios – but the reality trumped them all. I didn’t think we would get where we did, but I have faith in people and machines.
When it’s over, we breathe a sigh of relief and wait for the next mission. The people of Israel are united. Our mission is to bring back the hostages, that’s what drives our work.”
“I will always remember the moon that night – it was a brilliant crescent moon that rose just then, lighting up the pitch-black night,” recalls Major S., a fighter pilot, of the mission against Iran.
“My family knows that I was involved in the attack, but I still cannot share the exact details. It’s hard to talk about what we’ve been through and what we’re doing,” he said.
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“I think the point is not only the specific target, but the fact that we flew into Iran and showed them that we are capable of it. We dealt them a major blow on this mission.
It’s less about the targets than the fact that we dropped a bomb on Iranian soil.”
“This was not the first time, and it will not be the last, that I have put myself in harm’s way on a combat deployment,” he said. “During the war, I took risks even during routine deployments. And if the enemy is doing their job well, there’s a chance they’ll hit you. I feel this fear every time I take off. The best I can do is not think about it – I fly fast, I fly well, and if something happens, I react optimally. Since this was a critical mission, we took a risk – I knew there was a chance we’d get hit, but we had plenty of time to prepare for just about any eventuality.
If the worst were to happen, I’m mentally prepared and I know what steps to take at any moment.”
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Not share specific details with them. The reality of what we do is too heavy to discuss in detail. I don’t want to burden them with the grim aspects of warfare; I want them to remember me as their father and husband, not just a soldier,” he shares.
The weight of responsibility is palpable for these pilots, who navigate the complexities of their dual identities—military professionals and devoted family members. Major N.’s reflections evoke a powerful sentiment shared among many in the armed forces. They bear the emotional toll of high-stakes missions while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy at home.
As they soar through the skies on operations that could determine the course of history, these pilots remain anchored by their loved ones. Major S. emphasizes, “Each flight is a blend of honor and anxiety. You fly in the name of your country, but also for your family who waits and worries back home.”
It’s a delicate balance that underscores the human experience within the military. The glamorous high altitude of heroism is often juxtaposed with the quiet stillness of home, where families tread lightly around the topic of duty, filled with a mix of pride and concern.
Ultimately, as they engage with the complexities of their missions—whether facing direct combat or navigating the emotional landscape of family life—these aviators embody resilience. They work tirelessly to protect their nation while cherishing the moments they can share at home, making every return an occasion for gratitude and love.
each aerial success is a testament not just to their skills in the cockpit, but also to the strength of the familial bonds that ground them, offering a reminder that the heart’s true mission is to safeguard those we hold dear. The moonlight may illuminate their paths in the night sky, but it is the light of family that guides them through the storm.
