In 1998, Israel began receiving its F-15I Ra’am (Thunder) fighters, aiming for full operational status by year’s end. Due to growing tensions in the Persian Gulf, the first aircraft became ready by June—months ahead of schedule. In 1999, three Israeli pilots participated in the Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, flying U.S.-serialled F-15Is straight from McDonnell Douglas. After the exercise, they flew the jets back to Israel. One of these, tail number 269, arrived on May 27, 1999, and was assigned to the 69th Squadron, “Ha’patishim” (The Hammers).
