Reuven Friedman is the face of the flight academy at Hatzerim, as one of the most veteran and esteemed workers on the airbase. He joined ‘Snunit’ 19 years ago. Back then, it was the maintenance base for training jets, and is presently leading the process of integrating the new ‘Ofer’ helicopters, which will be replacing the ‘Saifan’ choppers in pilot training. “Integrating a new aircraft is a rare privilege, bringing a fresh breath of air, enriching and fostering professional growth” he says.
My story
Reuven’s love affair with aircraft began during his regular army service, at the Air Force technical school, where he signed on for an army career. In 2004, Cyclone, Elbit’s subsidiary, won a Defense Ministry contract to operate and maintain helicopters for the flight academy and Reuven was promoted to manager of the helicopter terminus. In 2015, he was appointed as manager of ‘Ayalon’, the site of the police force’s squadron, leading the activity of integrating new police helicopters.
In the framework of accepting ‘Ofer’ helicopters at Hatzerim, Reuven is responsible for the construction of appropriate infrastructures, flight training, and operations in all the interfaces with the air force, ground and air teams. The new helicopters will be utilized to guide the students of the flight school in their training by pilots and helicopter navigators.
“My pleasure is by virtue of professionalism and dedication to work,” he says with satisfaction. “As a serving army soldier and as a career soldier, I grew in the Air Force but when we stripped off our uniforms and became part of Elbit, it enabled me to grow professionally and express myself better, in a place where rank doesn’t apply.”
Reuven grew up in Be’er Sheva, son to Holocaust survivors. “Holocaust Memorial Day isn’t just something that happens once a year. The Holocaust memories accompanied our childhood and were always there as we grew up”, he says. He graduated in the field of industry and management, got married and is now a father of four, of whom one has completed the army service and one is in the middle.
