Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — The Israel Air Force, ending a two-month suspension, has
resumed training of its F-16 multi-role fighter fleet.

The Air Force said the F-16I division has been returned to full
operations.

Officers said the division resumed training two months after a crash of an F-16I jet because of engine failure.

“Returning to flight is a complex process,” a commander of an F-16I squadron, identifed only as Maj. Dror, said.

The Air Force did not detail the cause of the F-16I crash in July 2013, which prompted the grounding of more than 100 such aircraft, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. In a statement on Sept. 16, the Air Force attributed the crash in the Mediterranean Sea to an apparent engine malfunction. The Air Force did not report the retrieval of the engine.

Officers said the resumption of F-16I operations required refresher
courses. They said pilots practiced air-to-air combat, including the use of
precision-guided munitions and mid-air refueling.

“It is important to get the soldiers, both regular and reserve, in the
aerial teams back to these issues gradually,” a deputy squadron commander,
identified only as Maj. Roy, said.

  F-16I multi-role fighter, Israel resumes F-16 training two months after crash, Lockheed Martin