IDF’s Nachshon Squadron provided critical intelligence for Israel’s military offensive against Iran

The Israeli Air Force’s (IAF) reconnaissance Nachshon Squadron played a critical role in Israel’s successful Operation Rising Lion offensive last month against Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. Though small in size, the squadron – based at Israel’s southern Nevatim Air Force Base – is feared across the Middle East, as it serves as the eyes and ears of the IAF over Iran, Gaza, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond.

Lt. Col. N, the outgoing commander of the Nachshon Squadron, explained the squadron’s critical role within the IAF. 

"We are very much in the aviation world: Operations, control, management, and working with fighter jets. If you take Syria, this is reflected in the mission of providing an intelligence response during the operation to maintain air superiority and then also on the ground,” Lt. Col. N. stated. “Some of the things moved from information collected in the past, through the various elements, and you need to introduce intelligence in real time," he added. 

The unit, which is also known as 122 Squadron, is specialized in providing high-quality real time intelligence on Gaza and Iran. 

Earlier this month, Israel launched its advanced “Dror 1” communications satellite into space, which is expected to enhance Israel’s overall intelligence capabilities across the Middle East region. 

Yet, the Nachshon Squadron still stands out by providing unique reconnaissance capabilities. 

"We have things that we still bring that are unique, that other systems do not. The power structure is changing, and systems are being added to and altered, even as we fight. 'Oron' is a tremendous project, and the war accelerated it, yet we know how to provide intelligence in real time," the squadron chief asserted. "When operating in the air, we bring relative and effective advantages. We open the skies forward."

"I am part of those who bring the information and capabilities so that we are as prepared as possible in the force and as an army," he explained. 

The 21-year-old Lieutenant T. who serves as a reconnaissance officer in the squadron, recalled the unit’s defense of Israeli skies during the 12 days of war with Iran when Tehran fired over 500 missiles at Israeli cities. 

"During the war, we operated continuously day and night, defending the country's skies. We don't have military personnel in the role of air scouts, so we had a huge and difficult two weeks," the officer said.

He also revealed that the squadron provides critical support to the army’s troops on the ground in challenging urban battlegrounds like Gaza. 

"I have quite a few friends there, fighters for whom I carry out protective operations. There is nothing better than a paratrooper friend of mine from childhood, who I studied with, telling me on the phone that he feels safe when I am in the air over Gaza."  

The 40-year-old Major N. reflected on last month’s historic Israeli aerial strikes on Iran’s military and nuclear sites: "It's the moment when we leave the briefing and realize that the moment we have been waiting for 20 years has arrived. A historic point and our opportunity to be the body that protects our families and children. I arrived here 20 years ago; I am 40 years old. A few more years, and I would not have been part of this historic event."