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Amos Lapidot
Major general amos lapidot.jpg
Born 1934
Kfar Saba, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel)
Died (aged 85)
Allegiance Israel Israel Defense Forces
Years of service 1952–1987
Rank Aluf
Commands held 113 Squadron, Hatzor Airbase, Air Intelligence Directorate, Commander of the Israeli Air Force
Battles/wars Suez Crisis
Six-Day War
War of Attrition
Yom Kippur War
1982 Lebanon War
South Lebanon conflict
Other work President of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Chair of the academic committee of the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies

Aluf Amos Lapidot (1934 – November 20, 2019) was a brave Israeli fighter pilot. He became the tenth Commander of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), serving from 1982 to 1987. Later, he was the President of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology from 1998 to 2001.

Amos Lapidot's Early Life and Military Career

עמוס לפידות
Amos Lapidot in 2012

Amos Lapidot was born in Kfar Saba, Israel, in 1934. He grew up in a place called Havatzelet HaSharon. When he was young, he first joined the Artillery Corps of the Israeli army.

Joining the Israeli Air Force

Soon after, he decided to join the new Israeli Air Force (IAF). He finished his pilot training in 1954. As a pilot, he flew several types of airplanes. These included the P-51 Mustang, the Gloster Meteor, and the Dassault Ouragan.

Education and Advanced Studies

Amos Lapidot was also very smart in school. He earned a degree in mathematics from Tel Aviv University. Later, he studied at Stanford University in the United States. There, he earned a master's degree in financial systems engineering. This showed he was good with numbers and planning.

Lapidot's Role in Major Conflicts

Amos Lapidot played important roles in several wars. He was a key figure in the development and strength of the Israeli Air Force.

Flying in the Suez Crisis

During the Suez Crisis in 1956, he flew Ouragan and Dassault Mystère planes. These were important early fighter jets.

Leading Fighter Squadrons

In 1961, he started flying the Dassault Mirage III. This was a very advanced fighter jet at the time. He became the deputy commander of 101 Squadron. This was the very first squadron in the IAF to use Mirage jets.

A year later, in 1962, he took command of 113 Squadron. This squadron flew Ouragan planes. By 1965, he was back leading 101 Squadron. He led this squadron during the Six-Day War in 1967.

Commanding Hatzor Airbase

In 1970, he was put in charge of the weapons department for the Israeli Air Force. Then, in 1973, he became the commander of Hatzor Airbase. He led this important airbase during the Yom Kippur War.

Becoming Commander of the Israeli Air Force

Amos Lapidot continued to rise through the ranks. His leadership skills were recognized.

Leading Air Intelligence

In 1975, he was given the important job of leading the Air Intelligence Directorate. This group gathers and analyzes information about other air forces. In 1981, he became the director of the IAI Lavi project. This was a big project to build a new Israeli fighter jet.

Top Commander of the IAF

In 1982, Amos Lapidot was promoted to the rank of Aluf, which is like a major general. He then became the Commander of the Israeli Air Force. This was a very high and important position.

Key Achievements as Commander

During his time as commander, the Israeli Air Force received more F-16 fighter jets. These are powerful and fast aircraft. The IAF also improved its missiles, adding the Israeli AGM-142 Have Nap.

One famous mission during his command was Operation Wooden Leg. In this operation, the IAF flew 1,500 miles to Tunisia. They attacked the headquarters of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This showed the IAF's ability to strike targets far away. In 1987, Lapidot finished his term as Commander of the Israeli Air Force. He handed over command to Avihu Ben-Nun.

Life After the Air Force

After leaving the military, Amos Lapidot continued to contribute to Israel.

Academic and Public Service Roles

In 1988, he started a "think-tank" organization. This group worked on new ideas and strategies. From 1998 to 2001, he served as the President of Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. This is a very famous science and technology university in Israel.

In 2007, he led a public committee. This committee looked into ways to make aviation safer. He also chaired the academic committee of the Fisher Institute for Air and Space Strategic Studies. This institute studies important topics about air and space.

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