Air force chief: This is a once-a-century event; we’ll keep defending the skies

Israeli Air Force chief Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin tells senior officers that the air force must both defend the country’s airspace and protect the health of the troops who serve in it in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is a historic event that happens once in a 100 years. The [air] force has gone into a state of emergency,” Norkin tells senior air force officers in a video conference.

“We have made significant adaptations and changes in how we operate. We are aware of our people and we will take care of their health and we will help as much as necessary in the national and civilian effort to deal with this virus. We will continue to defend the skies of the nation. And we will be operationally prepared,” he says.

מזה כשבועיים, עם התפשטות נגיף הקורונה עבר חיל-האוויר לשיחות וועידה מרחוק. מפקד חיל-האוויר, האלוף עמיקם נורקין מקיים מלשכתו סדר יום המבוסס על ועידות וידאו בהן לוקחים חלק המפקדים בחיל. pic.twitter.com/TXHjnPtBgs

— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) March 29, 2020