Syrian Reactor Mission Marking

Yesterday (Thursday), a ceremony occurred marking the IAF fighter jets which participated in the attack of the Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 as part of Operation "Out of the Box" (named "Silent Tone" by the IAF).

The attacking aircraft were marked with the operation's symbol, which has a nuclear reactor at its center.

Illy Pe'ery & Nuphar Blitt

Yesterday (Thursday), a ceremony occurred marking the IAF fighter jets which participated in the attack of the Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 as part of Operation "Out of the Box" (named "Silent Tone" by the IAF).

 As part of the ceremony – held in the Ramon and Hatzerim AFBs in parallel – the attacking "Ra'am" (F-15I) aircraft from the 69th ("Hammers") Squadron and "Sufa" (F-16I) aircraft from the 253rd ("Negev") Squadron were marked. 

On September 14th, an additional ceremony will occur at the 119th ("Bat") Squadron, which operates "Sufa" aircraft as well.

The aircraft were marked with a decal bearing the operation's symbol – a triangle, which symbolizes a strike sortie, colored in the Syrian flag's colors (red, black and white in the background with two green stars), and at its center, a radiation hazard symbol symbolizing the nuclear reactor.

 The marking was imprinted by representatives who participated in the attack, representatives of the technical departments who assisted in the attack and the squadron commanders, Lt. Col. G' and Lt. Col. R'.

On the night between September 5th and 6th of 2007, IAF fighter jets attacked a nuclear reactor being established in Deir ez-Zor in Syria. The reactor was destroyed as planned shortly before being officially rendered active.

 Operation "Out of the Box" lasted several hours and was completed according to plan. The operation was based on creativity, professionalism and courage, which were expressed by the participating aircrew members.