Israel’s ‘Wing of Zion’ State Plane Leaves Airspace Amid Regional Tensions

The official aircraft departed from Nevatim Air Force Base over the Mediterranean, a move that has preceded past rounds of fighting with Iran, though officials say it was a routine training mission.

Israel’s “Wing of Zion” official state plane leaves Israeli airspace, heading out over the Mediterranean from the Nevatim Air Force base near Beersheba, per flight tracking sites.

The plane departed Israel ahead of past rounds of fighting with Iran to avoid it being targeted by Iranian missiles.

Unnamed officials cited by several outlets deny the move is to do with Iran, saying the plane is engaged in a regularly scheduled training mission.

On June 13, hours after Israel launched its attack on Iranian nuclear and ballistic missiles sites, Wing of Zion took off from Ben Gurion Airport.

Prior to Iran’s April 13, 2024, missile and drone attack on Israel, Wing of Zion was flown out from Nevatim Airbase, which was later targeted.