Amikam Norkin

Amikam Norkin was born in 1966 in Beit She'arim

Norkin was born in Beit She'arim in 1966 to immigrants of Romanian Jewish origin. His maternal grandfather helped found Nahalal, and his paternal grandfather was an early member of Agudat Hashomrim. He went to the agricultural high school in Nahalal.

He is a graduate of the National Security College. He holds a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Haifa.

Norkin joined the IDF in 1985 and became a fighter pilot in 1987. He flew the F-15, the Kurnass and the F-16, and commanded the 133 Squadron and later the 253 Squadron with the new F-16I. He then commanded Tel Nof base, headed the Air Staff and led the IDF Planning Directorate as a major general.

In 2017 he replaced Amir Eshel as commander of the Israeli Air Force. During his term the F-35 was declared operational, and in 2021 he led the force in Operation Guardian of the Walls. He was succeeded by Tomer Bar in 2022.

After retiring, he co-founded Aerospace Spirit in 2023 and later Ace Capital Partners, a defense and aerospace fund. In 2025 he joined a team reviewing the IDF inquiries into October 7. He is married and has three daughters.