Yael Rom
Encyclopedia
Yael Rom born Yael Finkelstein, was one of the first female pilots of the Israeli Air Force
and the first trained and certified by the force. She was co-pilot of the lead C-47 at the parachute drop at the Mitla Pass
which launched the 1956 Suez War.
Born in Tel Aviv
in 1932, Rom graduated high school in 1950 and was soon drafted into the Israel Defence Forces Youth Corps. Along with 29 other members of the corps she passed the IAF pilot examinations and along with six other cadets continued on to the basic pilot's course, finishing in second place. Initially trained on the Stearman Kaydet, Rom went on to fly twin-engined aircraft and was certified as a flight instructor. Rom received her wings on December 27, 1951, graduating the IAF's 5th flying course. She was then transferred back to the Youth Corps to instruct future cadets. For six months she petitioned the IDF to return to the air force, meeting with considerable resistance, before her request was finally granted. In 1953 Rom joined the ranks of the 103rd "Flying Elephants" Squadron
, flying the Douglas C-47 Dakota.
After her discharge from the IDF, Rom continued to fly as a reserve pilot. She was called up in October 1956 to participate in Operation Machbesh (Press), the Israeli parachute drop that launched the Suez War. Rom was the co-pilot of the lead C-47 in the 16-ship formation which dropped Israeli paratroops at the Mitla Pass
. She spent the rest of the war shuttling supplies to the troops in the Sinai and evacuating the wounded. Rom was on board the first aircraft to land at Sharm el-Sheik after its capture by Israeli forces, and dropped paratroops at At-Tur on November 3.
Rom retired from reserve service in 1962 after the birth of her first daughter, although she had initially failed to report the birth in order to evade the IDF policy of discharging mothers.
's "Young Women in the 21st Century" program which encourages young women to pursue careers in engineering.
In 1974 Rom established the Women's Council of the Haifa
mayor's office. Although a longtime member of the Likud
, in 1983 she ran for the post of mayor at the head of an independent list, coming in second with 17.9 percent of the vote.
Rom, a mother of three, was married to Yosef Rom
, a professor of aeronautics
at the Technion and a former Likud
member of the Knesset
. She died in Haifa on May 24, 2006. On May 26, 2008, the city of Petah Tikva
named a local street in her honor, in a ceremony attended by family and members of 103 Squadron.
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
and the first trained and certified by the force. She was co-pilot of the lead C-47 at the parachute drop at the Mitla Pass
Mitla Pass
The Mitla Pass is a 32 km-long snaky pass in the Sinai of Egypt, wedged between mountain ranges to the north and south, located about 50 km east of Suez...
which launched the 1956 Suez War.
Military career
Although often referred to as the IAF's first female pilot, this was not the case, though Rom was among the first women trained and certified by the force and the only one to go on to active service.Born in Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv , officially Tel Aviv-Yafo , is the second most populous city in Israel, with a population of 404,400 on a land area of . The city is located on the Israeli Mediterranean coastline in west-central Israel. It is the largest and most populous city in the metropolitan area of Gush Dan, with...
in 1932, Rom graduated high school in 1950 and was soon drafted into the Israel Defence Forces Youth Corps. Along with 29 other members of the corps she passed the IAF pilot examinations and along with six other cadets continued on to the basic pilot's course, finishing in second place. Initially trained on the Stearman Kaydet, Rom went on to fly twin-engined aircraft and was certified as a flight instructor. Rom received her wings on December 27, 1951, graduating the IAF's 5th flying course. She was then transferred back to the Youth Corps to instruct future cadets. For six months she petitioned the IDF to return to the air force, meeting with considerable resistance, before her request was finally granted. In 1953 Rom joined the ranks of the 103rd "Flying Elephants" Squadron
103 Squadron (Israel)
The 103 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force, also known as the Elephants Squadron, is a C-130E and KC-130H squadron based at Nevatim Airbase.-References:...
, flying the Douglas C-47 Dakota.
After her discharge from the IDF, Rom continued to fly as a reserve pilot. She was called up in October 1956 to participate in Operation Machbesh (Press), the Israeli parachute drop that launched the Suez War. Rom was the co-pilot of the lead C-47 in the 16-ship formation which dropped Israeli paratroops at the Mitla Pass
Mitla Pass
The Mitla Pass is a 32 km-long snaky pass in the Sinai of Egypt, wedged between mountain ranges to the north and south, located about 50 km east of Suez...
. She spent the rest of the war shuttling supplies to the troops in the Sinai and evacuating the wounded. Rom was on board the first aircraft to land at Sharm el-Sheik after its capture by Israeli forces, and dropped paratroops at At-Tur on November 3.
Rom retired from reserve service in 1962 after the birth of her first daughter, although she had initially failed to report the birth in order to evade the IDF policy of discharging mothers.
Civilian career
Rom graduated from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem with a degree in history and political science, as well as a teacher's certificate. In 1957 she was invited to join Arkia Airlines, working as a first officer for three years. Between 1960 and 1982 she worked for the Technion Institute of Technology in educational research, consultation and administration. She initiated and developed a unit providing acdemic support for under-represented groups such as minorities and the handicapped. Later in life she initiated and developed ORTWorld ORT
World ORT is a non-profit non-governmental organization whose mission is the advancement of Jewish and other people through training and education, with past and present activities in over 100 countries....
's "Young Women in the 21st Century" program which encourages young women to pursue careers in engineering.
In 1974 Rom established the Women's Council of the Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
mayor's office. Although a longtime member of the Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
, in 1983 she ran for the post of mayor at the head of an independent list, coming in second with 17.9 percent of the vote.
Rom, a mother of three, was married to Yosef Rom
Yosef Rom
Yosef Rom was an Israeli engineer and politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Likud between 1977 and 1984.-Biography:Born in Warsaw in Poland in 1932, Rom made aliyah to Mandate Palestine in 1935. He attended high school in Tel Aviv, before studying mechanical and aeronautical...
, a professor of aeronautics
Aeronautics
Aeronautics is the science involved with the study, design, and manufacturing of airflight-capable machines, or the techniques of operating aircraft and rocketry within the atmosphere...
at the Technion and a former Likud
Likud
Likud is the major center-right political party in Israel. It was founded in 1973 by Menachem Begin in an alliance with several right-wing and liberal parties. Likud's victory in the 1977 elections was a major turning point in the country's political history, marking the first time the left had...
member of the Knesset
Knesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
. She died in Haifa on May 24, 2006. On May 26, 2008, the city of Petah Tikva
Petah Tikva
Petah Tikva known as Em HaMoshavot , is a city in the Center District of Israel, east of Tel Aviv.According to the Central Bureau of Statistics, at the end of 2009, the city's population stood at 209,600. The population density is approximately...
named a local street in her honor, in a ceremony attended by family and members of 103 Squadron.