Netz 107


Netz 107 is a General Dynamics F-16A block 10 Fighting Falcon of the Israeli Air Force, :wikt:tailnumber|tail number 107. Netz 107 participated in Operation Opera, bombing the Osiraq nuclear reactor, and was later credited with 6.5 enemy aircraft kills, a world record number of kills for an F-16.

Operational Service

The first F-16A/B Netz fighters arrived in Israel during 1980 and were issued to 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force. Netz 107 was the first F-16 to touch Israeli soil when it landed on 2 July 1980 at Ramat David Airbase.
On 7 June 1981 Netz 107 took part in Operation Opera, piloted by Amos Yadlin, and was the second F-16 to strike the Osiraq nuclear reactor after wing leader Zeev Raz.
Netz 107 scored its first aerial kill on 21 April 1982 when pilot Zeev Raz shot down a Syrian Air Force MiG-23. During Operation Peace for Galilee it shot down 6 more Syrian aircraft. On 9 June 1982, Eliezer Shkedi shot down two MiG-23s, although one was shared with another pilot. On Friday 11 June 1982 pilot Eithan Stiva shot down four Syrian aircraft.
Several years later Netz 107 was re-allocated to 253 Squadron along with other F-16A/Bs. In 2015 it was retired from service and put on display at the Israeli Air Force Museum.

Kills