Female IDF officer downed 2 aerial threats in 2 weeks receives award
The appreciation certificate was presented to Na'aman and her Patriot battery that intercepted a Syrian Sukhoi-22 fighter plane that crossed into Israeli airspace on July 24, 2018.
By JONATHAN WEBER ROSENUpdated: AUGUST 9, 2018 03:26Captain Or Na'aman receives an award for her battalion's achievements, August 8 2018(photo credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
Capt. Or Na’aman, the 138th Battalion’s Patriot battery commander, has received a certificate of appreciation from the commander of the IAF, Maj-Gen. Amikam Norkin.The certificate was presented on Tuesday to Na’aman and her Patriot battery that intercepted a Syrian Sukhoi-22 fighter plane that crossed into Israeli airspace on July 24, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit announced.“You both learned and taught your soldiers how to perform under pressure and led them to a high level of operational readiness. You not only were successful in the mission, but gained the trust and confidence of your commanders and subordinates,” said Norkin.Almost two weeks to the day before the interception of the Syrian fighter jet over Israel’s northern Golan Heights, Na’aman’s battalion intercepted a Syrian drone that fell south of the Sea of Galilee.The downing of the Sukhoi-22 was confirmed by both the IDF and Bashar Assad’s Syrian regime; however, Damascus does not agree that the Syrian fighter entered Israeli airspace.Israel released radar photos proving “unequivocally” that the Syrian fighter entered Israeli airspace. However, the Syrian regime maintains the plane never crossed into Israeli airspace, saying it was shot over the Syrian Golan Heights.“The threat of protecting the skies of the state has undergone a real turnaround in recent years, as our enemies develop and acquire unmanned aircraft which are faster, smaller and in larger quantities. Under the command of Lt.-Col. G., the battalion has successfully intercepted five enemy UAVs and another Sukhoi-22 fighter jet only two weeks ago,” said the commander of the air defense system, Brig.-Gen. Zvika Chaimovitz.Anna Ahronheim contributed to this report.
