A suspected carjacker broke into the Israel Air Force (IDF-AF) Nevatim Air Base last night. After several hours of searches involving the police, helicopters and special forces, it was discovered that the fugitive fled the scene shortly after entering.
The suspect entered the base in a stolen car through an open gate. Soon after, he ended up slashing his tires on security spikes and fled on foot, starting a hunt that began at 20:00 pm on Monday and ended around 03:00 am on Tuesday (Israel time).
In a statement, the IDF-AF said that at some point shortly after entering the base, the suspect “Climbed the two barbed wire fences and a five meter high fence and left the base.”
Located in the north of the Negev Desert, Nevatim Air Base is considered the most important of the Israeli Air Force as it houses the two squadrons that operate Lockheed Martin F-35I Adir fighters, the most advanced in the entire region.
The air base is also home to KC-707 tankers, G550 early warning air tankers and C-130 Hercules.
Despite not believing there was a concrete threat to the fighters, the IDF-AF tightened security around the aircraft and on the perimeter of the base.
The size of the base — more than 40 kilometers long — made it difficult to search for the suspect, which led to the activation of police and air force helicopters, as well as teams from the Shaldag special forces unit.
Helicopters ed in the search for the Bedouin suspect who broke into the Nevatim Airbase with a stolen car over an hour ago, essential assets secure. pic.twitter.com/iXHBpVAMaL
ADVERTISING - Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) February 8, 2021
The operation was led by Air Base Commander Brigadier General Omer Tishler. As a precautionary measure, family of the soldiers who live on the base were advised to stay inside their homes.
After all the turmoil at dawn, the local police are still investigating what happened. “The event will be investigated and necessary lessons learned”, the military said in a statement.
With Times of Israel
