Festive Graduation Ceremony Held This Week for Participants of the “AIR Team” Program, Advancing Young Women into the Worlds of Aviation and Space
- The event took place at the Israeli Air Force Technological College High-Tech Campus in Be’er Sheva, attended by program participants, their families, and distinguished guests.
- “AIR Team” is a national educational initiative jointly led by the Ramon Foundation and the Israeli Air Force, operating in Ofakim and Be’er Sheva.
- Among the attendees were: Colonel A., Head of Human Capital Development Branch in the Israeli Air Force Personnel Directorate; Gil Doron, CEO of the Ramon Foundation; Yiftach and Tal Ramon; representatives of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF); the Mayor of Ofakim; the Mayor of Be’er Sheva; the Director of Education for the Ofakim Municipality; and the Deputy and Acting Mayor of Be’er Sheva.
The graduation ceremony marked the completion of the first year of activity for the “AIR Team” program, a joint national educational initiative of the Ramon Foundation and the Israeli Air Force, operating in Ofakim and Be’er Sheva. The initiative is carried out in partnership with the municipalities of Ofakim and Be’er Sheva, the Rashi Foundation, Darca Schools Network, Israel’s Ministry of Education, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), Adama Makhteshim, and Freesbe.
As part of the program, girls from Ofakim and Be’er Sheva study aviation, space, and technology-related subjects while developing self-confidence and strengthening their belief in their ability to pursue future careers in these fields. Led by the Ramon Foundation and the Israeli Air Force, the initiative was designed as a long-term program accompanying participants over five years, from 9th through 12th grade, creating a continuous pathway of learning, inspiration, and hands-on experience.
Named after Assaf (A), Ilan (I), and Rona (R) Ramon, the “AIR Team” program aims to increase the number of young women entering the fields of aviation, space, and technology. Participants take part in professional workshops, empowerment sessions, encounters with inspiring female role models, and tours of leading organizations in innovation, aviation, and defense. The inaugural cohort included 47 participants, 19 from Ofakim and 28 from Be’er Sheva.
In Ofakim, the program is part of the municipality’s ongoing investment in education, promoting excellence, science, technology, and the empowerment of young women. It reflects a belief that exposure to innovation and high-tech industries is a powerful tool for expanding opportunities, strengthening self-confidence, and opening doors for the city’s next generation.
In Be’er Sheva, the program serves as a central pillar of the city’s vision for technological and scientific excellence, while promoting gender equality and breaking glass ceilings for young women. Integrating participants into the worlds of aviation and space equips the next generation of technological leaders with the skills and confidence needed to lead, innovate, and participate at the forefront of scientific and defense-related endeavors.
During the current academic year (5786), the program operates in its pioneering municipalities, Ofakim and Be’er Sheva. Due to its success, additional municipalities are expected to join the initiative during the next academic year (5787), expanding its national reach.
During the event, participants presented model aircraft projects they developed throughout the year as part of their engagement with technological challenges and personal resilience-building. The highlight of the evening was the presentation of a personalized patch to each participant, symbolizing her first significant step toward the Air Force wings parade ground.
Colonel A., Head of Human Capital Development Branch, Israeli Air Force Personnel Directorate:
“The ‘AIR Team’ program reflects our natural commitment as the Israeli Air Force to cultivate the next generation of Israeli leadership in aviation, space, and technology. We are confident that our partnership with the Ramon Foundation will bring Air Force values, including excellence, responsibility, and lifelong learning, to thousands of young women across Israel. For us, true success is measured not only by the number of participants, but by the sense of capability, courage, and ambition they carry with them as they continue their journey toward meaningful service in the IDF and future leadership within Israeli society.”
Gil Doron, CEO of the Ramon Foundation:
“The ‘AIR Team’ program embodies the vision and values of the Ramon family: resilience, excellence, and growth through challenges. Seeing these remarkable young women from Ofakim and Be’er Sheva standing here today, after a year in which they built model aircraft, trained on flight simulators, and proved to themselves that there is no glass ceiling they cannot break, is a tremendous source of pride. Together with our partners in the Israeli Air Force and FIDF, we remain committed to providing them with the strongest possible foundation so they can soar as high as possible.”
Brig. Gen. (Res.) Liron Donnell, VP, FIDF:
“The ‘AIR Team’ program was created so that young women would stop asking whether they can get there and start asking how. Today, women serve in leadership positions throughout the IDF, across every branch, arena, and a wide range of meaningful roles. This program provides participants with the tools and confidence to transform ambitious dreams into achievable goals. These young women represent a new generation of excellence, curiosity, and leadership, and we are proud to be partners in a journey that opens the skies before them and places them at the forefront of Israel’s defense mission. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces (FIDF) is a living expression of the mutual responsibility shared between Jewish communities around the world and the men and women who defend the State of Israel. Alongside our ongoing support for IDF soldiers, we are equally committed to nurturing the next generation of Israel’s leaders.”
Throughout the program, participants undergo advanced training on a dedicated flight simulator provided exclusively for them, simulating complex low-altitude flights and navigation missions. Following each session, they conduct professional debriefings modeled after Israeli Air Force practices. During the final two years of the program, alongside the IDF pre-enlistment and Air Force screening processes, participants will receive personalized mentoring from active and reserve female aircrew members, who will guide them through preparation for selection processes and assessments.
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