Drone Strike 

Meet Squadron 161, the only IAF squadron that operates Israel’s elite assault drone — the Zik.

Squadron 161, nicknamed the Black Snake Squadron, used to fly helicopters, and was known as the Second Cobra Squadron. Now, it has transitioned to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It’s the only unit operating the Elbit Hermes 450 assault UAV, also known as the Zik.

The first aircraft to respond to the attack on Simchas Torah were remotely operated drones such as the Zik. “ ‘Unmanned aerial vehicle’ is a catchall term for a diverse range of aircraft, commonly known as drones,” explains First Lieutenant A., a drone pilot in Squadron 161. “UAVs have a variety of uses. Some are designated as assault drones, carrying missiles and functioning for all intents and purposes as fighter jets, while others are used for intelligence gathering and other missions that can’t be disclosed.”

Superficially, the place looks like a regular airfield. The aircraft are lined up and ready for takeoff. One after another, vehicles approach the runway, while others land, rearm, and prepare to return to the air. The only difference between this airfield and the one nearby is that these aircraft are unmanned. The pilot or operator sits in an underground operating room at a hidden location on the Palmachim air base.