Graduates of the IAF's 161st Pilot's Course receive their wings.
By MORDECHAI TWERSKY
Graduates of the IAF's 161st Pilot Course received their wings at a December 30, 2010 ceremony at the southern Hatzerim Air Force Base in the presence of President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.The graduating class -which includes two female fighter pilots and a flight navigator - were praised by IDF Chief of General Staff Lt.- Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. He stressed the need for a ''strategically superior'' air force in the face of emerging threats in the region.The ceremony, attended by several thousand family members and guests, included a number of fly-overs showcasing older Israeli planes, in addition to aerial demonstrations by state-of-the-art Israeli aircraft.According to the IDF, 15% of those graduating the rigorous, 36-month course hail from foreign countries.