“During this whole operation, we’ve been striking a lot of missiles that were aimed towards Israel and its civilians,” he said. “It fills us with a sense of fulfillment and purpose, knowing we’re taking out capabilities that the Iranians have to target civilians — our families, our homes.”

Inside the cockpit, he said, there is no room for hesitation. 

“There aren’t any big feelings in the cockpit. It’s the mission. You’re very minded towards it,” he said. “The way back is a little more free to think and to talk with a pilot, but, overall, you’re very, very focused on doing the mission and making sure you don’t do any mistakes — that you’re doing exactly as planned.”

An FDD map shows a selected list of targets hit by Israel since the start of the war against Iran. (FDD)

Although the campaign’s immediate objective is the defense of Israeli citizens, the pilot emphasized that the stakes are global. 

“Israel is now fighting the fight of the Western world and Western civilization, taking out the head of the snake and dealing with a threat that’s been imminent for the whole world,” he said.

“Whether it’s terror operations abroad, ballistic missiles or threats to ships in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea, we’re fighting a war for the whole world. But, first and foremost, we are fighting for our home.”

He pointed to Iran’s repeated calls for Israel’s destruction as clear justification for the operation. 

“They had missiles pointed at us, their nuclear program was aimed at us. They’ve been saying it openly — in speeches, on social media — they want to destroy us,” he said. “If it wasn’t for the preemptive strike that we took, they would have been able to fulfill that threat in a few years.”

An Israeli fighter jet taking off from Israel on its way to strike targets in Iran. (IDF)

For both, the mission is not only strategic, but deeply patriotic. 

“There’s a clear link between what we’re doing and the safety of the State of Israel,” the pilot added. “We’re destroying precision missiles aimed at our hospitals, at our homes. The nuclear program was aimed toward us. Personally, it’s a very good feeling to take part in this. But it’s also humbling to be part of such a vast operation — this whole machine — the Israeli Air Force and the nation standing together.”