The Israeli Air Force has reopened the 193rd Squadron, which operates helicopters on behalf of the Israeli Navy for missions at sea.
The 193rd Squadron was shuttered in August 2025 after the IAF retired its fleet of AS565 Panther helicopters before receiving new SH-60F Seahawk choppers, a naval-focused version of the Blackhawk helicopter.
A ceremony was held yesterday at the Palmachim Airbase for the reopening of the squadron, the military says.
The IDF says the squadron will operate in “close cooperation” with the Missile Boat Flotilla for missions at sea, including “defense of the State of Israel’s strategic assets, safeguarding freedom of navigation, supporting maneuvering forces, and employing naval firepower.”
“The squadron constitutes a central component of the IDF’s air-sea array and expands the operational response in the maritime domain,” the military adds.
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From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
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