15 IAF pilot cadets jailed for drinking alcohol, receiving visits in breach of rules

Fifteen Israeli Air Force cadets at the end of their three-year pilot course have been jailed over a “disciplinary incident,” during which they had visits from family and friends and drank alcohol while they were supposed to be in solitary.

An officer also involved in the incident may be dismissed from his role.

The incident took place two weekends ago, at an “isolated section” of a civilian hotel, where the cadets were supposed to review their training and rest, following an intensive week-long course simulating enemy captivity.

An IAF investigation found that one of the commanders in the flight course “deviated from procedures” and allowed the cadets to drink alcohol during the learning session. In addition, some of the cadets brought family members and their girlfriends to what was supposed to be an isolated part of the hotel.

The military says 15 cadets were sentenced to 3-6 days in military prison, in accordance with the severity of their actions.

The flight school commander, who holds a rank of major, will be summoned by the chief of the Air Personnel Group for a “discussion regarding the continuation of his role.”

Additional cadets who violated the guidelines over that weekend are also facing disciplinary actions, but not jail sentences.

The military says the cadets acted contrary to the values of the IAF, and the visits and alcohol drinking disrupted the training. The military also emphasizes that there is no concern of harm to the IAF’s operational readiness.

The cadets are not automatically being dismissed from the pilot course, which will end at the end of the month. Rather, all cadets undergo a screening by a committee at the end of the three-year course to determine whether they completed the training properly.