118 Squadron (Israel)

The 118 Squadron is an active helicopter squadron of the Israeli Air Force and is part of the Participation & Helicopter Group, based at Tel Nof Airbase. Established in October 1970 and nicknamed the "Night Birds", also known as the "Night Raptors" and the "Nocturnal Birds of Pray", the squadron is operating the Sikorsky CH-53-2025 Yas'ur.

In 1969, the IAF acquired new and used CH-53s to supplement the already existing heavy-lift fleet of the French Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon within 114 Squadron. In the following year, as more CH-53s arrived in Israel, it was deemed necessary to separate both the CH-53 and Super Frelon departments from 114 Squadron. Thus, the IAF established 118 Squadron which, at the time, was the first independent CH-53 squadron and 114 Squadron kept operating both fleets until the retirement of the Super Frelons in 1991.

Since its establishment, the squadron has seen extensive action since the Yom Kippur War, and in between engagements it also conducts countless search and rescue missions for both military personnel and civilians in need of evacuating to hospitals, while working closely with Unit 669.

As of July 2023, 118 Squadron is the sole heavy-lift helicopter squadron of the IAF, after 114 Squadron was merged into the former and temporarily deactivated to make preparations for the newer Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, which are planned to arrive in Israel sometime in 2026.