2,000 Kilometers from Home: The Dangerous Mission of the 120th Squadron

The devastating airstrikes currently raining down on the Iranian regime’s most sensitive sites would be impossible without the "Desert Giant," the 120th Squadron of the Israeli Air Force. While the F-35 and F-15 pilots receive the public accolades for their precision, it is the aerial refueling tankers that allow these jets to reach targets thousands of kilometers away. Operating in extreme weather conditions and under the constant threat of rocket fire at their home bases, the crews of these veteran Boeing 707 aircraft are performing a "surgical" role that Air Force Commander Tomer Bar has nicknamed the "Metro to Iran."

The Desert Giant’s Long Reach

Refueling a fighter jet at tens of thousands of feet in the middle of a war zone is a high-stakes calculation where every liter of fuel is vital. Major N., the deputy commander of the squadron, explained that the intensity of the current war has broken all previous conventions. "We thought the intensity in previous operations was the peak, but this campaign has surpassed everything," he said in a recent interview. The tankers operate as a continuous "aerial train," moving back and forth to ensure that strike aircraft have the necessary "dwell time" over their targets in Iran. This capability directly translates into more effective hits on the regime’s infrastructure and prevents Iranian assets from being able to launch retaliatory strikes on the Israeli home front.

Despite the incredible skill of the ground crews and technicians who keep these aging planes in the air, the squadron is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new Boeing KC-46 tankers. These new aircraft will be more fuel-efficient, carry significantly more payload, and represent a massive technological leap for the IDF's long-range capabilities. Until they arrive, the 120th Squadron continues to rely on decades of operational experience and a close partnership with the United States, whose tankers have also been stationed in Israel to support the mission. As the war moves into its most critical phase, the "Desert Giant" remains the essential backbone of Israel’s strategic reach, proving that victory often depends on the support systems operating far from the headlines.