Philgad, Liav Avraham

Ben Yonah and Anshel Leib. He was born on May 17, 1977 in Carmiel. The eldest son of his parents, the older brother of Eitan and Liat. He studied at the Eshkol Elementary School and the Horowitz Junior High School in Carmiel and continued his studies at the IAF Technical School in Haifa. His instructor at the technical school said: “From the moment I met him, the gap between us was forgotten, as he was a model apprentice, an example of the apprentices and commanders, always orderly and polished, he was full of energy and joy, He was a child every commander, father and mother, brother or friend, would like to have. ” In a personal letter of appreciation to Liab, the course commander wrote: “When there is a job that is different from the routine and requires investment and thought, you are in a good place to know that there is someone to rely on and who to work with when carrying out special tasks.” At the beginning of March 1996, Leib was drafted into the Israel Air Force and was sent to serve at the Tel Nof base as a helicopter mechanic in the squadron, and he was trained as a helicopter mechanic. “I look at the new soldier and see a soldier whose appearance is very impressive,” says Liab, describing his first meeting. A tall soldier with a smile and a special look. From the moment of the strong handshake, the soldier entered my heart and I wanted him very well. I sat Liav in my office for an introductory conversation and an explanation of the routine in the squadron. This conversation was very brief, because I felt there was no need for an official conversation. I went out with the soldier on a tour of all the workstations in the squadron, and on this tour we learn very quickly to get to know each other. At all stages of the conversation, Liav noted his need to move very quickly to the maximum role to be reached. For a moment I think to myself, although one soldier has come to us, but a soldier who transmits the will and ability that he can be better than three. I calm Liav and try to present him with the negative things in the squadron, but it is not scary at all. What is even more strange is that the more I explain to him how difficult the work is, the more it burns and motivates him. Right after the tour, I felt that I had known Liav for a long time and that the conversations that we had together went into very personal matters. After a week of acclimatization, I sent Liav to Laine A. because I felt that he was ready to begin his service in the squadron. “Indeed, a few days later Leib went on his first and last operational flight …” On 31 March 1996, Liav fell in a helicopter accident that occurred west of Mitzpe Shalem. Six soldiers were killed with him – Major Eyal Geller, Captain Ofer Schwartz, Sergeant David Weizman, Sergeant Guy Shafir, Corporal Doron Ezra and Corporal Inbal Twasi. Liab was laid to rest in the military section of the Karmiel cemetery. He was nineteen when he fell. Survived by his parents, brother and sister. In his letter of consolation to the family, the unit commander wrote: “From the day they reached the squadron until the fall of the squadron, Liav stood out in his quest for perfection and his strong desire to be the first in all his duties.