An Israel Air Force pilot told 103FM on Tuesday that he considered recording a keepsake for his wife and children during Operation Roaring Lion, in case he fell in combat.
Lt.-Col. (res.) "A." marked his 50th birthday this week, but he has recently spent much of his time in an F-16 fighter jet cockpit.
"I considered recording something for each child and my wife so they would have something during their lives, if they wanted to hear encouragement or a boost for a keepsake, but I decided to stay focused on the mission and not act emotionally," he admitted.
"Sometimes you set it aside to perform the mission more sharply and effectively," he added.
He explained that during such complex and dangerous missions, the way he and his colleagues operated was as purposeful as possible.
"Fear is a component that can be dominant, but because you are constantly in action, you're aware of what needs to be done, and running possible scenarios through your mind," he said.
Discussing the fear of planes being shot down, he said that "we know the IAF is behind us and that the Air Force commander [Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar] is making sure to bring us back home healthy and safe."
Bar "explicitly" told pilots this, going from "base to base, and conveying his appreciation and admiration," A. said.
"He made it clear to us unequivocally that he would bring us home no matter what was required," he stated.
When discussing how pilots passed the time during the long flights to strike Iranian sites, A. said that "on the way there, we focused on the mission. There is usually a complex refueling with US Air Force partnership, and then you hurry to get out of the lion's den [of Iranian airspace] as quickly as possible."
Pilot's tension dropped after leaving Iranian airspace
"When you crossed from Iranian airspace to Iraqi airspace, the tension dropped, and when we were back in a safe zone, we spoke more about personal lives, sometimes cracked riddles, sometimes over the radio communications too," he continued.
However, "sometimes there were surprises on the way back - concerns over if there was enough fuel, or weather conditions, sometimes on the way back, you're very busy."
He also pointed out the major difference between operating missions to strike Iran and Lebanon, respectively, saying he was more excited by the latter.
"During the rocket and missile launches, I felt much more concern over Tehran, because there we are assisting our forces that are hundreds of meters away. You can't miss, and the price of a mistake is dramatic," he said.
"When you hit the Iranian regime's defense industry, it's clear that there's a strategic impact, but the immediate satisfaction is when you land and say 'I removed an immediate threat with my own eyes,'" he added.
But after Lebanon strikes, he spoke about how pilots commented on seeing rocket launchers, targeting them, and watching them explode, calling it a "feeling of pure defense."
During Operation Roaring Lion's 40 days of airstrikes, his diet fluctuated, he admitted. "Over time, we consumed healthy and nutritious food - a lot of protein - and before flights, we drank isotonic drinks. The administrative staff in our squadron, the cooks, and other logistics staff were working so hard, I can't recall anything else like it. It was crazy."
He also said that while he ate some other less healthy food, he still lost weight. "The body is in a state of alertness, so paradoxically, most of us have lost a few kilograms."