The first four of 14 F-16 aircraft embargoed by the U.S. after Israel’s raids on the Baghdad Iraqi nuclear reactor and terrorist headquarters in Beirut nearly two months ago arrived in Israel last night. The other 10 are to be flown to Israel as soon as modifications ordered by the U.S. Air Force and the manufacturers, already carried out on those delivered yesterday, are completed.
The planes were refuelled twice in the air during their 11-hour non-stop flight, described by Israeli pilots as a “test of endurance for both pilots and planes.” Three F-15 planes were flown direct to Israel last week.
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