Maj. Gen. Herzl Bodinger, who led the Israel Air Force between 1992 and 1996, has died at the age of 82, Hebrew media reports.
Born in Haifa and raised in Kiryat Motzkin, Bodinger began his military career as a cadet in the Air Force youth program before enlisting in 1961 and volunteering for flight school. He went on to serve in several combat squadrons, including those operating the French Dassault Mystère IV and Dassault Ouragan fighter jets, and rose through the ranks to command the air force.
Following his military service, Bodinger remained active in defense and industry circles, serving as head of the Committee for Industry Relations with the Defense Establishment at the Israel Manufacturers Association.
He was later appointed to a post-war inquiry panel following the Second Lebanon War, but stepped down for “personal reasons.” In 2013, Bodinger was considered a candidate for the role of National Security Council head, though the position ultimately went to ex-Mossad chief Yossi Cohen.
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