Palmachim Airbase

Palmachim Airbase (בָּסִיס חֵיל-הַאֲוִויר פַּלְמַחִים, ) is an Israeli Air Force (IAF) base and spaceport, which the IAF and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) operate jointly. It is located west of the city of Yavne on the Mediterranean coast, 12 km south of the Gush Dan metropolitan area with Tel Aviv, named after the Kibbutz Palmachim north of it. Palmachim is a vital base in Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza. Iran simulated an attack on the base in February 2024.

History
The airbase was established in the second half of the 1960s by the later commander of the IAF Benny Peled and the area was initially used to test rockets and projectiles that the 151 Squadron for missile testing was firing towards the sea.

Helicopters
In 1979, the 160 Squadron "First Cobra/Northern Cobra" with AH-1 Cobra Tzefa attack helicopters was transferred here from Tel Nof Airbase. In 1981 the 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" with Bell 212 Iroquois helicopters moved from there to Palmachim also. In 1985, a second squadron of Cobras was launched with the 161 Squadron "Southern Cobra", all of which were located in the northern area of the base. Because of their location on the airbase they were called the Northern Cobra and Southern Cobra Squadron. In 2013, both Cobra squadrons were finally decommissioned.

UAVs
From the mid-1990s, testing and introduction of the IAI Heron 1 Shoval UAV began, shortly afterwards the Elbit Hermes 450 Zik and finally from 2009 by their successor Hermes 900 Kochav, each with their own squadrons.

In January 2023, the 200 Squadron "First UAV" with Heron 1 UAVs was relocated to Hatzor Airbase. At the beginning of April 2024, the 147 Squadron "Goring Ram" reopened at Palmachim for the fourth time, this time with Hermes 900 Kochav UAVs.

Arrow 2 Missiles
Israel's first operational Arrow 2 missile battery was installed southeast of the airbase in 2000 (see map). For target detection and tracking, it is used at the Ein Shemer Airfield - together with the Arrow 2 missiles there and others at the Sdot Micha Airbase - the local Super Green Pine Radar with a range of 1000 kilometers. The Arrow 2 missile was developed in the 1990s by Israel together with the USA to defend against larger missiles. The Arrow system is operated by the Israeli Air Defense Command, based on Palmachim. This command is a department of the IAF or the Israeli Air and Space Force and supplements the aircraft squadrons at the bases (see photo in the gallery).

Today
Currently (2024) two squadrons UH-60 Black Hawk Yanshuf and three squadron Hermes 450 Zik and Hermes 900 Kochav UAVs are stationed on the base (see also under "Units").

In July 2007, it was agreed that once Sde Dov Airport in Tel Aviv was closed, its military terminal would be transferred to Palmachim. The terminal was transferred when Sde Dov Airport ceased operations in July 2019.

Israel–Hamas war
Since the 7. October 2023 the drones from Palmachim and other Israeli military bases (Tel Nof, Hatzor, Ramat David) are operational in the air over the Gaza Strip around the clock, on the one hand to collect information and to carry out attacks with guided weapons. In cooperation with the ground troops, they are supported in their advance, which, according to Israeli analyzes, is a novelty in modern warfare on this scale and quality.

Units

 * 123 Squadron "Desert Birds" – operating UH-60 Black Hawk Yanshuf
 * 124 Squadron "Rolling Sword" – operating UH-60 Black Hawk Yanshuf, Sikorsky S-70
 * 147 Squadron "Goring Ram" – operating Hermes 900 Kochav UAVs
 * 151 Squadron – Missile Testing Squadron
 * 161 Squadron "Black Snake" – operating Hermes 450 Zik UAVs
 * 166 Squadron "Fire Birds" – operating Hermes 900 Kochav UAVs
 * 7th Special Air Forces Wing
 * Unit 669 "Flying Cats" – heliborne Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)  (also based at Tel Nof Airbase)
 * Unit 5101 "Kingfisher" – Shaldag Unit, IAF's special unit for counter-terrorism, hostage rescue and covert reconnaissance

Note: IAF aircraft can usually be assigned to their squadron by the symbols on the tail

Rockets and satellites
The launchpad south of the base is used by ISA to launch the Shavit space launch vehicle into retrograde orbit, acting as Israel's primary spaceport. Since the end of the 1960s the IAF uses Palmachim to test ballistic missiles, such as the Jericho and later the Arrow. The launchpad is situated at 31.88444°N, 34.68028°W.

Due to Israel's geographical location and hostile relations with neighboring countries, the rockets launch west across the Mediterranean. This avoids flying over enemy countries that could use the technology in the event of a crash and prevents parts from falling into populated areas. The satellites launched are on non-equatorial orbits and are among the few earth satellites that orbit the earth in an east-west direction. Taking off against the earth's rotation causes approximately 30% higher fuel consumption.

Recent launches include:
 * 11 June 2007 - Ofeq-7 satellite
 * 17 January 2008 - version of the Jericho III missile
 * 22 June 2010 - Ofeq-9 satellite
 * 2 November 2011 - version of the Jericho III missile
 * 9 April 2014 - Ofeq-10 satellite
 * 13 September 2016 - Ofeq-11 satellite
 * 29 May 2017 - rocket propulsion system test launch
 * 6 July 2020 - Ofeq-16 reconnaissance satellite
 * 28 March 2023 - Ofeq-13 SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) reconnaissance satellite

Orbital launch history
On 17 January 2008, Israel test fired a multi-stage ballistic missile believed to be of the Jericho III type, reportedly capable of carrying "conventional or non conventional warheads". On 2 November 2011, Israel successfully test fired a missile believed to be an upgraded version of the Jericho III; the long trail of smoke was seen throughout central Israel.