Who Was Really Behind Israel’s Iran Strike? The Untold Story
In the days leading up to Israel’s unprecedented air assault deep into Iranian territory, key figures from the technical wings of Israeli fighter squadrons reveal how months of secretive planning and emotional intensity culminated in a strike that will go down in history. From classified preparations to emotional reunions with aircrews returning from dangerous missions, these behind-the-scenes stories highlight the quiet but vital engine room of Israel’s air dominance.
As Israel launched a dramatic wave of airstrikes on Iranian soil under the covert military operation "Am K'Lavi" ("With the Might of a Lion"), few knew that the backbone of the mission wasn’t just the pilots in the sky, but the technical crews on the ground who had been secretly preparing for months.
Among them was Major D., head of the technical wing at Tel Nof Airbase. “We trained for weeks on end,” she recalls. “Just a week before the actual operation, we simulated a scenario almost identical to what happened, dozens of aircraft, massive coordination. The scale was unprecedented.”
But when the night came, even the soldiers loading live ammunition onto jets believed they were participating in a routine exercise. “Only a handful knew the truth,” she says. “We told the rest it was just another drill. It only became clear when the jets returned, with no weapons left onboard.”
That’s when the reality hit. “We gathered everyone and announced, ‘The squadron has just struck targets in Iran.’ There was a moment of stunned silence, then applause. It was an incredibly powerful moment.”
She watched from the tarmac as wave after wave of fighter jets roared into the night sky. “I knew history was unfolding before my eyes. And I was the only one who understood it wasn’t just a scenario. This was real.”
Meanwhile, up north at Ramat David Airbase, Major P. was urgently summoned by his squadron commander. “He told me, quietly: ‘Most likely, we’re hitting Iran tonight.’ From that moment, it was all systems go.” The first shift lasted nearly 30 hours, as aircraft returned for multiple sorties. “We didn’t call in reservists to avoid leaks. But by morning, dozens showed up on their own. The turnout was overwhelming.”
He describes not only a logistical challenge, but a paradigm shift. “During Iron Swords, we operated close to home. This time, we turned the third circle into the first. It was a different kind of war.”
Major Y., another technical squadron commander at Ramat David, echoed the sentiment. “We’ve been operating as if tonight’s the night, every night. When the real thing happened, we saw how crucial that mindset was. Every bolt, every electrical system, every weapon, everything had to work in perfect harmony.”
She revealed that Iran wasn’t the only theater of operations. “While preparing for Iran, we were still active in other arenas, and defending Israeli skies. This is a multi-front reality.”
Unlike pilots, technical staff work around the clock. “They rest before and after missions, we work while they sleep,” she explains. “Once the aircraft lands, there’s no downtime. We immediately move into full maintenance mode to ready the next wave.”
The moment they’ll never forget? “When the aircrews returned from their first strike, I gave them a hug. I could see the pride in their eyes. Every handshake, every salute, was filled with purpose.”
