Sword and Shield of Zion: The Israel Air Force in the Arab-Israeli Conflict, 1948-2012

Description

The Israel Air Force (IAF) has accumulated as much battle experience as any air force in the world during the post-Second World War era. It has recorded many outstanding accomplishments throughout a seemingly endless string of interstate wars, asymmetrical wars, counterinsurgency campaigns, and special operations. Sword and Shield of Zion examines the IAF's experience in the Arab-Israeli conflict, from the establishment of Israel in 1948 to the present day. The book analyzes this experience through the prisms of maneuver warfare, attrition warfare, counterinsurgency warfare, special operations, and humanitarian operations. It reviews the IAF's performance in such wars as the 1967 Six-Day War, the 1969-70 War of Attrition, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the 2006 Second Lebanon War, and the 2008-09 Gaza War. Also, the book scrutinizes the IAF's participation in major counterinsurgency campaigns and special operations, traces its experience with unmanned aerial vehicles - which have occupied a very prominent place in air operations since the 1982 Lebanon War - and chronicles its experience with anti-aircraft defenses and satellites. Up-to-date information on the IAF's bases, squadrons, and other infrastructure is provided as well. Sword and Shield of Zion is based on personal visits to the IAF over the past few years, during which the author had the opportunity to tour bases, listen to lectures and briefings, and speak with numerous retired, reserve, and active duty officers. Front Cover Dedication Title Page Copyright Page Contents Acknowledgments List of Abbreviations List of Illustrations Preface Introduction (Part I): Israeli National Security and Airpower Introduction (Part II): Israeli Airpower and the Arab–Israeli Conflict 1. Airpower and Maneuver Warfare: The Israel Air Force in the 1967 and 1973 Wars 2. Airpower and Attrition Warfare: The Israel Air Force in the 1969–70, 2006, and 2008–9 Wars 3. Airpower, Counterinsurgency, Special Operations, and 53 Humanitarian Operations: The Israel Air Force between Arab–Israeli Wars 4. An Airborne Revolution in Military Affairs: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in Israel Air Force Service 5. Ground-based Air Defense and Space-based Reconnaissance: Other War-related Responsibilities of the Israel Air Force 6. The Infrastructure of the Israel Air Force: Bases and Squadrons Conclusion: The Past and Future Contributions of Airpower to Israeli National Security Appendix: The Historical Evolution of the Israel Air Force’s Fighter-Bomber Inventory Notes Select Bibliography Index