The Israel Air Force counts among its missions air superiority, close air support, airlift and special operations. From its austere beginnings with the modern State of Israel's creation in 1948, the IAF has performed its missions remarkably well. Almost always massively outgunned in its major wars of the past forty some years, the IAF has always managed to score decisive victories—leading to a deserved mystique. Ruling the region's airspace is crucial to maintaining the advantage in any major Mid-east conflict. Israel is keenly aware that without control of the skies its prospects in an all out land battle would be dismal at best. Accordingly, the IAF puts a premium on its air-to-air fighting component. The IAF throughout its history has demonstrated its dogfighting prowess, most notably with the lopsided results from the 1982 confrontation with Syrian MiGs over the Bekaa Valley. Providing cover for ground forces is another prerequisite for victory in high intensity Mid-east warfare. More than once the tank columns and infantry brigades of the Israeli Defence Forces have broken out of an otherwise untenable position because of the timely and effective intervention of IAF airpower.
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