193 Squadron (Israel)

The 193 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), also known as the Maritime Helicopters Squadron and operates on behalf of the Israeli Navy.

An IAF AS565

The squadron flies AS565 Panther helicopters.

Aircraft

The squadron was established in June 1987, flying the Eurocopter HH-65A Dolphin from Palmachim Airbase. After the loss of one airframe in 1996, the IAF retired the remaining HH-65A in 1997. Both airframes were test airframes from the United States Coast Guard.

The squadron is home to seven AS565 Panther helicopters based at either Ramat David Airbase or Palmachim Airbase.[1] These helicopters are also assigned and can land on the Sa'ar 5-class corvettes. One Panther helicopter crashed on January 3, 2022 killing two airmen and injuring a naval officer. In 2015 the IAF ordered eight Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawks (US Navy surplus) to replace the Panthers, with delivery expected in 2024.[2]

References
  1. "193 Squadron - The Maritime Helicopters". Globalsecurity.org. Archived from the original on 18 January 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-21.
  2. "Mako.co.il story on a Panther helicopter crash".
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