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Giora Epstein-Even | |
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Nickname(s) | Enei netz (Hawkeye) |
Born | Negba, Mandatory Palestine | 20 May 1938
Allegiance | Israel |
Service/ | Israeli Air Force |
Years of service | 1956–1997 |
Rank | Tat aluf |
Other work | El Al pilot (1977–1997) |
Brigadier General Giora "Hawkeye" Epstein (Hebrew: גיורא אפשטיין; born May 20, 1938), today Giora Even (Hebrew: גיורא אבן), is a retired Israeli Air Force (IAF) officer and a fighter ace credited with 17 victories, 16 against Egyptian jets and one against an Egyptian Mi-8 helicopter, making Epstein the ace of aces of supersonic fighter jets and of the Israeli Air Force.[1][2] Epstein was an active IAF pilot from 1961 until May 26, 1997, when he retired at age 59. Like many retired IAF flyers, he later worked as a pilot for El Al Airlines.