Giora Epstein, regarded as one of Israel’s most accomplished fighter pilots, passed away on Saturday at the age of 87. Known for his remarkable achievements in the Israeli Air Force (IAF), Epstein became the IAF’s top ace with 17 confirmed kills. His impressive career included shooting down 16 MiGs and Sukhois, earning him the title of world champion in jet aircraft shootdowns.
Born in 1938 in Kibbutz Negba to Polish immigrants Hillel and Chaya, Epstein dreamed of becoming a pilot from a young age. However, the IAF initially rejected him from the pilot course due to a medical issue. Determined to follow his passion, Epstein persevered and, at the age of 25, was finally accepted into the pilot training program after appealing directly to the Air Force.
Upon completion of his training, Epstein was initially assigned to fly helicopters. Unsatisfied with this assignment, he appealed to then-Air Force Commander Ezer Weizman, who eventually agreed to let him train as a fighter pilot. His persistence paid off, and Epstein quickly established himself as one of the IAF’s most skilled pilots.
During the Six-Day War, Epstein shot down his first Mirage fighter, and in the War of Attrition, he claimed four more kills. The Yom Kippur War saw him stationed with the Nesher Squadron, where he shot down another 12 enemy aircraft. One of his most remarkable feats occurred when Epstein found himself alone against 20 Egyptian aircraft. Despite being outnumbered, he shot down four before being forced to return to base due to fuel shortages.
In addition to his combat achievements, Epstein played a crucial role in the events leading up to the Yom Kippur War. He was the man who activated the sirens on October 6, 1973, signaling the start of the conflict after detecting suspicious activity from Syrian and Egyptian airbases.
After his retirement from active service in 1977, Epstein continued his connection to aviation. He flew for El Al until 2003 and, at the age of 50, received special permission to transition to the F-16, continuing as a combat pilot for another decade. Over the course of his career, he logged approximately 9,000 sorties and 5,000 hours in combat aircraft.
In recognition of his significant contributions, in 2018, Epstein was personally awarded the rank of Brigadier General by IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot. Epstein’s legacy extends beyond his military service, as he also became an active participant in the pilots’ protest movement in recent years.
Giora Epstein leaves behind a legacy of dedication, bravery, and excellence in the skies. He is survived by his wife, Sara, and their three children. His passing marks the end of an era for Israeli aviation and the IAF, where he remains an iconic figure in the history of fighter aviation.
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