Lt. Gen. Dan Halutz (2005-2007)
Dan Halutz joined the Israeli Air Force in 1966 and graduated from combat flight school in 1968. In 1969, he joined the first F4 Phantom squadron of the IAF. Later, after being released, he returned to active duty when the Yom Kippur War started. During the Yom Kippur War, Halutz carried out over 43 operational flights in which he shot down 3 enemy planes in dogfights.
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In 1978, he left the IDF for four years and returned to active service in 1982, when he was also trained to pilot the new F-16 jet fighter. In 1984, he commanded a Phantom squadron and was later appointed as the commander of Hatzor airbase in 1991.
In 1993, he was promoted to Brigadier General. Two years later he was appointed as the head of air force headquarters.
In 1998, he was promoted to Maj. Gen. and in 1999, he was appointed as the head of the Operations Wing in the IDF General Staff.
In 2000, Halutz was appointed commander of the Israeli Air Force. During Halutz's term, Israel purchased F-15E and F-16 fighter jets, capable of strategic bombing in all weather conditions. Halutz also expanded the usage of UAV drones to various missions.
Halutz's main reforms in the IAF were the tightening of cooperation with the ground forces and the Shin Bet, the massive employment of UAV drones, the upgrading of precision strike capabilities in helicopter gunships and jets and the sharp decrease of accidents and aerial failures.
On June 1, 2005, Halutz was officially appointed the 18th Chief of Staff of the IDF and was awarded the rank of Lieutenant General.
