"We attacked, and they ran hysterically in their bases like in a 'scorched earth' protocol."

by Eitam Almadon | N12 News 

In the early hours of the operation against Iran, as Israel launched a surprise attack that stunned the world and Home Front Command alerts flooded phones nationwide, Major R. was stationed in the UAV squadron’s strike control cabin. On his screens, ballistic missile launchers stood poised to target Israel. “This is our moment,” he told his team, just before initiating the missile launch that neutralized the Iranian threat.

Thirteen years into his service with the Air Force, R. had never imagined operating at such distances. Rising through the ranks of the UAV unit to become deputy squadron commander, he says every step led to this pivotal moment—when the Air Force carved a path through the skies of western Iran. “I’ve never felt a deeper sense of fulfillment,” he reflects, recalling the moment he saw the launchers explode.

We speak shortly after the ceasefire takes effect. Sleep-deprived from two intense weeks, he still beams with energy. When asked how he’s holding up, he replies, “Never better. I’m living the dream.” Surprised, I ask, “Really, that much?” He pauses, then explains with a smile.

“This is exactly what I trained for. I’m in a phase where I feel I’m fulfilling my purpose in the military, at the highest level and furthest reach possible,” he says with quiet conviction. “Anyone in my position would say the same. It’s the dream, despite the pain and challenges. That’s just part of it.”

"I looked my wife and daughter in the eyes—and left."

For months, R. prepared for the mission in complete secrecy. Only a select few within the Air Force’s offensive squadrons were privy to the plan, and they guarded it fervently. “We’ve been training for this for a long time. The Air Force has spent years preparing for a multi-front war against a distant and complex adversary,” he explains. From day one, his focus had been on Iran, but this time, it was real.

One day, his squadron commander summoned him and revealed that he had been chosen to lead the UAV strike into Iran. Most of the squadron trained without knowing the true objective. “In highly classified operations, we don’t disclose everything to the entire squadron. Very few know why we’re training the way we are,” he says. “We didn’t even need to name the target.” Even those in the know had no idea when the mission would launch—until the final message arrived: zero hour had come.

R. was at home with his family when the call came, and he had to head to the squadron. “It’s about looking your wife and daughter in the eyes,” he says. “That moment, hugging them, kissing them, knowing they’ll see me differently afterward because they’ll understand I did this for future generations, that’s something I’ll carry with me forever. I know the actions I take in the coming hours will shape my daughter’s future.”

“I knew I was embarking on an existential mission,” he adds. “Israel faced a genuine threat from Iran and its proxies.” Returning to base, he understood the gravity of what lay ahead. “It felt like stepping into uncharted territory...like being the first to set foot in a foreign land.”
 

"We saw them just before launch"

Over Iranian territory, flying farther than he ever had before, Major R. fully grasped the gravity of his mission. “Our objective was to strike the first surface-to-surface missile (SSM) launchers that were poised to respond to our opening attack,” he explains. “When we arrived, we saw them standing upright, just moments from launch. Unfortunately, one of them had already fired. It was frustrating, but it only underscored how critical our role was at that exact moment.”
The launchers were aimed at the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, ready to unleash destruction. “These missiles are massive. One could have easily brought down buildings in Tel Aviv,” he says. “Knowing that I eliminated both the missile and the launcher, a key node in their system, was an overwhelming feeling. No matter how much I had envisioned this moment, I never expected to witness it so vividly with my own eyes.”

After the mission, the reality of its impact began to sink in. “You step outside, see the news reports of missile strikes across Israel, and realize what could have happened if we hadn’t acted…how many more people could have been killed,” he continues. “That’s when you understand the weight of responsibility, that an entire nation is counting on you. I remember shaking hands with my team, telling them how vital our actions were. I saw the spark in their eyes. It was a mission unlike any we’d ever undertaken-not in that place, not at that time, and not in that way.”

 

A Flight Beyond Imagination

The flight to Iran was the longest and most complex of R.’s career.
“It was a challenging mission, both in terms of the terrain we crossed and the threats we faced, any of which could have compromised the aircraft,” he says, careful not to disclose operational specifics. “We reached farther than ever before, thanks to the Air Force’s strategic development over the past year.”

Recent advancements in UAV technology extended flight ranges and enabled prolonged operations over Iranian territory. “We took aircraft that previously could only operate within Israel’s borders and deployed them far beyond anything we’d imagined,” he adds. “Flying over 1,500 kilometers—I’ve never done anything like that since joining the squadron. Honestly, I never thought I would.”
 

The Trusted Few Who Led the Surprise Opening Strike

The veil of secrecy surrounding Israel’s operation was lifted with the drop of the first bomb. “Initially, only a select few were privy to the details,” recalls R. “But when the time came, we had to mobilize the entire squadron, men and women in combat roles, support staff, everyone, so they could actively contribute to the operation.”

The groundwork for the strike was extensive and meticulous. Lt. Col. G., head of the Deep Arena within the IDF’s Operations Directorate, spoke to N12 about the scale of the preparations: “This arena was established three years ago, in anticipation of a moment like this. Over the past six months, we developed a comprehensive battle protocol, with precise planning aligned with General Staff directives. Our role was to see the full picture—connect the dots, synchronize efforts, and support commanders in decision-making and campaign management.”
“At the beginning of 2025, even a bit earlier, we presented it to the Chief of Staff. We set this point in time both based on our capability-building and our understanding of the threat from Iran. In recent months, a very specific and small group of people had been preparing for this moment—day and night, including weekends. The General Staff’s challenge was to maintain secrecy and determine the right moment with the goal of launching it as a surprise,” Lt. Col. G. explained, adding that “behind this are thousands of people responsible for making sure this moment unfolded as planned. The tension was immense. If it hadn’t come as a surprise, it wouldn’t have succeeded the way it did, especially not in the critical first 24 to 48 hours.”  

In the course of the operation, the Israeli Air Force succeeded in destroying approximately 200 of the 400 Iranian missile launchers. The strikes also targeted key infrastructure tied to the regime’s efforts to significantly expand its missile production capabilities.

A substantial portion of this high-stakes mission was executed by the Air Force’s offensive UAVs, which played a pivotal role in locating and neutralizing launchers. According to senior defense officials, the UAVs delivered results that surpassed performance benchmarks seen in any of Israel’s other combat theaters—underscoring the growing strategic value of unmanned aerial systems in modern warfare.
 

“We created a real sense of being hunted”

The UAVs “sat on the Iranians,” tracking the launch teams in western Iran and attacking them relentlessly. In many places, the Iranian launch crews were forced into hiding and were afraid to come out and fire missiles. In other cases, they had already begun to launch, but upon spotting the Israeli UAVs overhead or hearing their buzzing, they abandoned the launchers and fled. That is how the Air Force managed to push the launch teams eastward.
“I feel like we really created a real sense of being hunted,” says R. “When Iranian soldiers heard a UAV approaching, whether by sight, sound, or through other systems they had, they would panic. In some bases, they ran hysterically, as if under a scorched earth protocol. In one location where we struck, they didn't return. They were genuinely afraid.”

“I don’t underestimate them at all,” said R. “Iran has a professional military with significant capabilities. In some areas, they attempted counterattacks—even during fighter jet strikes, you could see Iranian military personnel trying to fire at us. You don’t let them hit you, you strike first. But overall, we managed to destabilize them.”

The Israeli Air Force’s Hermes 900 (“Kochav”) and Heron TP (“Eitan”) drones spearheaded a sweeping aerial hunt over Tehran and beyond. Initially focused on missile launchers, the UAVs quickly expanded their mission scope by targeting senior Revolutionary Guard figures, mobile anti-aircraft systems mounted on trucks, and re-striking previously bombed sites to prevent re-entry or reinforcement. In some cases, they reached nuclear-related facilities, attacking advanced air defense systems guarding sensitive infrastructure.

The UAVs also operated in zones deemed too risky for manned aircraft, striking targets inaccessible to fighter jets. They destroyed UAV launchers in Isfahan, bombed military airfields, and eliminated Iranian fighter jets and combat helicopters. Despite the many successes, the Iranians managed to shoot down two Israeli UAVs during the war—a cost the Air Force says was anticipated.
 

Family Ties in the Sky- Striking in Iran Alongside His Brother and Sister-in-Law

As his UAV circled high over Iran, R. couldn’t help but think about his brother and sister-in-law, both of whom are combat navigators in the Israeli Air Force. For him, the destruction of Iranian air defense systems and missile launchers was deeply personal. 

“I felt that through my actions, I was clearing the path for them so they wouldn’t get hurt,” he said. “That I was protecting them in the most personal way possible. When I see a surface-to-air missile that could threaten fighter jets, and I strike it—or when my squadron teammates do—I feel a sense of family closure.”
Describing the sense of family responsibility that accompanied him, R explained that his role was not just tactical but protective. “My brother is flying combat missions in fighter jets. I feel like I’m shielding him by getting there first and creating the quiet he needs to strike the enemy more effectively.”

The UAV campaign was not only about executing pre-planned strikes—it was also about real-time intelligence. Many of the targets hit during the operation were not part of the original target bank compiled by the Intelligence Directorate. “Our system integrates both intelligence gathering and strike capabilities,” R. explained. “Unlike fighter jets that arrive, drop a bomb, and return, our UAVs are in the air 24/7. They’re not just there to strike—they’re also watching, collecting intelligence.”

The impact was immediate. “I can say that in many cases, the targets we hit were identified in real time by the UAVs,” he said. “Flying over a military base and spotting a component, an aircraft, or something that could pose a threat, that’s not always something you get from prior intelligence.”
 

Facing a Regular Army, Not Terror Cells

Since the onset of the Swords of Iron war, Israel’s UAV squadrons have been operating at full capacity. Operators have grown used to switching between supporting infantry brigades in Gaza, hunting Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon, and carrying out precision strikes in the West Bank. Now, they’ve added a new and formidable theater: the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“When you fly over Gaza, you’re dealing with an enemy that has studied your tactics for years,” explains R. “They know where you’re looking, how you behave, how your bombs hit, and what it all means. Iran, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily understand your behavior."

Tactically, engaging a sovereign state offers distinct advantages. Unlike Hamas and Hezbollah, Iranian forces rarely operate from densely populated areas, granting Israeli pilots and UAV operators' greater operational freedom. Moreover, the intelligence provided by the IDF’s Intelligence Directorate was sharper than ever.

“Iran is a smarter, more complex adversary,” R. notes. “They have far greater military and resource capabilities. You’re not facing guerrilla fighters or terror cells; you’re up against a professional army that operates with sophistication and precision. You have to adapt your tactics accordingly.”
One of the most striking differences was the sheer scale of the battlefield. “You can find yourself, in a single mission, flying hundreds of kilometers between targets,” he describes.
 

“People said we might not succeed”

When asked how the Israeli Air Force achieved the unprecedented air superiority that allowed UAVs to penetrate deep into Iranian airspace, R. became serious. “The simple answer is people,” he says. “Exceptional professionals who saw the mission clearly and understood that this was an existential threat. There was no other option. They worked day and night to get those aircraft into position. We pushed through every obstacle, never gave up, not for a moment. We never stopped in the face of obstacles or people who said that we might not succeed.”
The low point from which the IDF began the war was a catalyst for renewed determination. “After the deep sense of failure following October 7th when we failed in our role to protect civilians, what followed was a genuine initiative by soldiers, men and women, who believed this mission had to be done right,” R. reflects.

The prolonged conflict, he says, has sharpened the Air Force’s edge. “We’re in a very long war. It’s brought our people to peak readiness. Some have done 500 consecutive days of reserve duty without pause. These are the fighters in your squadron, the people beside you in the control cabin. You know you can rely on them.”

“It didn’t come easily, and it wasn’t magic,” R. emphasizes. “It was the result of a long, deliberate process of learning, thinking, preparing. That’s what brought us to a place where we can now operate in extraordinary coordination with the fighter squadrons.”
 

“Dreaming of Reaching Even Farther”

Despite the remarkable achievements of the Air Force’s achievements, R. is aiming even higher. “I realize that this time we reached places our system didn’t necessarily think it could reach,” he admits. “The more I dream, and the more I challenge myself and my squadron’s fighters to reach farther and bigger places, the more we succeed.”

As the conversation draws to a close, R. offers a message to the entire country: “I want the citizens of Israel to know that we’re fighting a just war unlike any other. We are personally removing a real and existential threat from the country, whether in the nuclear realm or the missile arena. I fight not only because I know this war is just, but also because I know who stands behind me and how dear the people of this country are to me. I hope we won’t know war again, but if we have no choice, may we be the best there is.”

Details in the article were cleared for publication by the military censor.

This article was written by Eitam Almadon in collaboration with Nir Dvori for N12 News. We received permission to translate it. For the original article in Hebrew, Click here.