Flying Over Dachau
Stand for Israel | August 19, 2020
The darkest chapter in the long history of the Jewish people, the Holocaust shall not be forgotten. But even as those who stand for Israel say “Never again!” let us also remember the Holocaust’s connection to the modern state of Israel. Yesterday, the site of the horrific Dachau concentration camp witnessed that connection as the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and German Air Force joined together for a historic flyover. The IAF tells us more:
Last night, a one-of-a-kind briefing was held, where German and Israeli aircrew members sat side by side to prepare for one of the most meaningful flights of their service. Today (Tuesday), the perfectly prepared plan was carried out: I stood there, between the signs pointing to the barracks of the Dachau Concentration Camp, looking toward the sky with anticipation. One minute passed, two minutes passed, and then, the powerful sounds broke the silence. The perfectly symmetric formation of five aircraft approached us displaying the monumental cooperation between the Israeli and German Air Forces.
The joint honorary flyby of the German and Israeli Air Forces flew above two significant locations in Jewish history, with a shared vow: along with a responsibility to remember, comes the vital obligation to shape a better future for our world. An inside look from the “Memory for the Future” flyby, that passed by the “Dachau” concentration camp, and the “Fürstenfeldbruck” airport where nine of the 11 murdered victims of the 1972 Munich Olympics terrorist attack.
A “Nachshon Eitam” (Gulfstream G550) of the 122nd (“Nachson”) Squadron led the flyby formation, piloted by the squadron commander, Lt. Col. G, with the Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin and Commander of the German Air Force Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz. To its left flew two IAF “Barak” (F-16) of the 105th (“Scorpion”) Squadron, and on its right flew two German Air Force Eurofighter (Typhoon) aircraft, as a symbol of cooperation between the two countries.
When passing by the Dachau concentration camp, in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Norkin said: “We are flying together above the valley of darkness making room for only light ahead as we vow, never again!”