Flying Dragons simulate the enemy for Israel Air Force pilots

Squadron 115, based far from the major bases of the Israel Air Force, in the Ovda airfield north of Eilat, borrows pilots and jets from other squadrons, doesn't take part in combat operations and gets grounded if a war breaks out. The mission of the "Red Squadron," also known as Flying Dragon, is a different one: to simulate the enemy.

A year ago, as part of a course to mentally prepare pilots for combat, a squadron was selected as the Reds' first victim. One after another, the training monitor told pilots over the radio that they had been "downed" by the enemy and were requested to return to base immediately.

	A Squadron 115 pilot in a Syrian Air Force uniform
	Photo by: Nir Kafri

http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/flying-dragons-simulate-the-enemy-for-israel-air-force-pilots-1.314524?localLinksEnabled=false