| Unit Name: | 117 Squadron |
| Dates: | 1953-2020; 2021- |
| Country: |  Israel |
| Role: | F-35I training (2021-); Air Defense (1953-2020) |
| Garrison: | Nevatim Airbase (2021-); Ramat David Airbase (1953-2020) |
| Disbanded: | September 2020 - as active Air Defense squadron; reestablished July 2021 as training squadron |
| Aircraft Fighter: | F-35I (current); F-16C (previous); Gloster Meteor (first) |
The 117 Squadron of the Israeli Air Force (IAF), also known as the First Jet Squadron, is initially a training squadron for F-35I Adir fighter pilots, based at Nevatim Airbase.[1]
Before it closed in September 2020 after 67 years of service, the 117th was an F-16C fighter squadron based at Ramat David Airbase.[2] The squadron was openend there on 17 June 1953 and operated Israel's first jet fighter, the Gloster Meteor, flying the T7 (two-seat trainer), F8 (fighter) and FR9 (reconnaissance) variants.[3]
In July 2021, Airforce Technology reported that the Israeli Air Force had re-established the 117 Squadron "First Jet" as a training squadron in the IAF's F-35I Adir division, based at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. It will become an operational squadron as soon as there are enough jets arrived from the US.