Militaryאבי לניר

Avraham Lanir

Avraham "Avi" Lanir was an Israeli Air Force lieutenant colonel and fighter pilot who was captured by Syria in the 1973 Yom Kippur War and died in captivity.

1940 to 1973Capture and death in Syrian captivityCommanding 101 SquadronThe Black Mirage incidentMedal of Courage recipient

Born: 25 January 1940, Herzliya
Occupation: aircraft pilot, military personnel
Education: Israeli Air Force Flight Academy
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Wars: Six-Day War, War of Attrition, Yom Kippur War

Avraham Lanir was born in 1940 in Herzliya

Lanir was born Avraham Lankin in Herzliya in 1940. His parents, Yaacov and Malka, were active in the Irgun, and his father later became a senior Shin Bet official. His uncle Eliyahu Lankin commanded the arms ship Altalena.

The family moved often for his father's work and later lived in Washington, D.C., where he finished high school. Back in Israel at 17, he studied electronics at the Air Force technical school. From 1965 to 1969 he studied engineering at the Technion.

He joined the IDF in 1959 and became a fighter pilot. He flew in the Six-Day War and the War of Attrition, tested the Technolog prototype that preceded the Kfir, and in 1971 took command of 101 Squadron at Hazor. In 1962 he married Michal Barzilai, and they had 2 children.

On October 13, 1973, his Mirage was hit by a Syrian missile. He bailed out, but the wind carried him toward Syrian forces, who captured him. His body was returned in 1974 with signs of torture, and an inquiry found that he had not revealed the secrets he held.

He was buried on Mount Herzl and was awarded the Medal of Courage in 1976.

Avraham Lanir's life in 10 milestones

1940
Born in Herzliya.
1959
Enlisted in the IDF and trained as a pilot.
1962
Married Michal Barzilai.
1963
Survived a midair collision while serving as a flight instructor.
1967
Shot down a Syrian MiG-21 in the Black Mirage incident.
1969
Graduated from the Technion.
1971
Became commander of 101 Squadron.
1973
Captured by Syria during the Yom Kippur War.
1974
His body was returned to Israel.
1976
Awarded the Medal of Courage.

Avraham Lanir served in IDF Pilot Course

Lanir served as an Israeli Air Force fighter pilot from 1959, flew in the Six-Day War, the War of Attrition and the Yom Kippur War, and commanded 101 Squadron from 1971. He reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and downed 3 enemy MiGs.

IDF Pilot Course