2009 I.A.C.E. contingent: 22 air cadets & 4 escorts with I.A.F. personnel from UK, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Germany & Holland

Since the late 1950's Israel Air Force has been hosting air cadets from overseas within the International Air Cadet Exchange program every year except for 2007 during the 2nd Lebanese war. ESRA members in Raanana, Herzliya and Ramat Hasharon have been hosts for the cadets for the last 10 years. The IACE is an annual student exchange program designed to promote character, good-will, and cooperation among the world's civilian auxiliary aviation programs. Participants come from the Air Training Corps, Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets,   Turkish Aeronautical Association, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Singapore National Cadet Corps, along with sixteen other equivalent groups in other nations. Cadets spend approximately two weeks every summer with their foreign counterparts. The first exchange occurred in 1947, between the United Kingdom and Canada.   

During the exchange, cadets are provided housing by volunteer families and on military installations in their host nation. Scheduled activities vary depending on the host nation, but often include tours of famous landmarks and cultural institutions, tours of local aviation facilities or factories, lectures with local aviation figures and visits to military units. Financially, each nation is responsible for its own cadets, and the finance often comes from governments, civilian aviation enthusiasts, or aerospace industry.

According to its mission statement, the Exchange exists to promote more than a love of aviation. Character development is equally important. Cadets develop a better perspective on the challenges other countries face. The friendships they make through the Exchange help the world combat hatred and intolerance. Through the Exchange, cadets grow to understand and appreciate the roles different nations play in aerospace, as well as build international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among young people who have a common interest in aviation.

This year Andrew Krausz, a solicitor, pilot, Jewish and traditional who serves in the RAF reserves was one of the the escorts to the group of cadets that came to Israel. He was hosted by Pat Zuckerman, the ESRA volunteer who has been organizing local hosts for the program for the past ten years.

Below is Krausz appreciation speech that he gave at the end of the cadets’ stay in Israel:

“Brigadier General, Attachees, Fellow Officers, Distinguished Guests, IACE Cadets and Bas:
 In my capacity as one of the escorts on this year’s IACE exchange to Israel, it is my privilege to have the opportunity to say a few words on behalf of the delegation comprising delegates from the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong China and the Netherlands.
 As an officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, being a pilot and having a full time occupation in the aviation sector, I share with many of you a keen interest in all things aviation.
 Given our common interest in aviation, I thought I would share the story of a British Airways pilot landing at Frankfurt Airport a number of years ago for the first time in his capacity as a civilian pilot. As this BA pilot finished his landing run and vacated the runway, the hyper-efficient and somewhat irritable Frankfurt air traffic controller gave specific if somewhat long winded instructions to the BA pilot to taxi to the apron. Rather perturbed by the slow progress of this BA pilot, the somewhat over-zealous controller enquired with audible arrogance and frustration asking the BA pilot whether his slow progress was on account of this being the first occasion on which the BA pilot had flown to Frankfurt? The cool reply from the BA pilot was to confirm that though this was indeed his first landing at Frankfurt, he had flown over Frankfurt on a number of occasions in his Lancaster during the second world war...
 Whereas you may think this as somewhat risqué dinner-time humor, what is true is that we are in the main all guilty to some extent of subscribing to generalizations and adopting mental stereotypes when we think of people from even within the socio-economic divides within our own countries but more identifiably so in respect of other countries, religions and cultures.

The troubling reality is that where our preconceptions relate to other peoples or countries that we do not come across in our daily lives, the average person is reliant on his or her local media organizations, which sadly often fail to provide objective accounts in favor of polarized stances – accordingly, the danger is that these mental perceptions become entrenched by default given the lack of an accessible opportunity to rebut these preconceptions.

But what does all of this have to do with Israel and this year’s IACE?

Israel has repeatedly proven itself militarily in 1948, ‘56, ‘67, ‘73, ‘82 and indeed continues to do so. However the conflict has changed – no doubt many of the Israelis here have become frustrated if not despondent at Israel's failure to win the battle in the international media, which some of Israel's adversaries have become skilled masters of exploiting. My view is that the international media has propagated a distorted view of the reality here and only the physical experience of the life, the people and reality here can effectively attempt to communicate the other side of the story for those that wish to hear it.
 My background, which includes previous visits to Israel, put me in a position prior to the exchange where I had a fair idea of what to expect from my visit to Israel. However, this certainly was not the case for the cadets from the United Kingdom and I suspect for many of the others, some of whom had never travelled abroad!

I'm unsure whether you would be surprised to learn that when meeting the cadets in London on the day before the trip, concerns that were voiced included a belief that they were visiting a third world country with a precarious local security situation. I expect that some preconceptions went even further than that.

It is clearly cited in the IACE Memoranda of Agreement that the aim of the IACE program is to foster international understanding, goodwill and friendship among young people who have an interest in aviation and this endeavor is to be realized through the annual exchange of air cadets between participating organizations.

It was clear to me from the outset that if the aim of the IACE program was to be realized, the Israeli program would have to be special…… And special it has been!

I believe that you are all au fait with the details of this year’s program so dealing with the exchange only in general terms I would like to highlight the following:-

• The hospitality extended from the moment we arrived at Ben Gurion to the moment we arrived at our host families through to the sheer volume of chocolate rogolach offered during every visit.
• The impeccable organization of the program with Yoav on two phones often at the same time.
• The variety and diversity of the program across the country still leaving time to decide which Israeli Air Force Base has the best swimming pool.
• The provision of a balanced perspective in the Arab/Israeli conflict and the opportunity to tour Israel from a Jewish, Christian and Muslim perspective.
• An extensive program which captured the military, historical, cultural, religious, economic, social and technological.
• From the manufactured beauty of the Bahai Gardens to the natural beauty of the sunrise over the Dead Sea from Masada and a float at Ein Gedi. From the economic wealth of Tel Aviv to the religious and historical wealth of Jerusalem and the Old City. The juxtaposition of the poignant in Yad Vashem to the social hive that is Eilat. From several hundred feet below sea level in Ein Gedi Spa one week to 10,000 feet above Ein Gedi in a Hercules the next.

The program has been masterful and has encompassed travelling the whole country in just over two weeks. Indeed, the only thing missing has been my back seat F16 or F15 flight though as I'm not fussy, a Skyhawk or even Tzukit flight would have sufficed – if anyone can help with this, I'm available to discuss terms later tonight!

Indeed, on the topic of flying, we have learnt of the IAF's modest beginnings with Spitfire aircraft that were bodged together with engine cowlings made from adapted and re-used sheet metal to its modern day reputation as a world class air force with technological superiority in UAV, avionics, missile and aircraft technology.
I was also deeply impressed by the caliber of some of the IAF personnel. For example the word perfect presentation by a 24 year old F16 pilot from the first jet squadron at Ramat David AFB in his second language where he not only expressed his love of flying and his country but also instilled respect with his attitude including stating that if he has not learnt something as a result of each flight he completes then the cost of the flight was a waste to Israel - this sense of maturity and responsibility could only leave one with admiration. I was further impressed by the integration of ground crew with simple but seemingly effective initiatives such as giving them coveralls that look like a flying suit and squadron patches.

Rather than continue with the specifics of what I enjoyed, let me also share with you my thoughts on how else I expect this program to continue to play a part in all of our lives.

The IACE program not only fosters understanding but also friendship. Let me briefly share my experience of this: I participated on the IACE 12 years ago as a cadet. I made friends with a newly qualified Israeli A4 Skyhawk pilot - that friendship has grown over the years where in amongst other things, we both progressed with our flying – indeed he went on to fly and instruct on the F16 at Ramat David AFB - we have remained in close contact with visits to one another and two years ago he was one of my best men at my wedding in England, whereas five days ago he was nearly the author of my demise in the bars of Tel Aviv...
 Already this year I have heard of friendships being formed with one host family having invited the cadets they are hosting back in March for their son's barmitzvah, which I understand they would like to attend – bear in mind that two weeks ago, these cadets thought they were visiting a third world country where they might encounter threats to their personal security.

IACE is special in many ways but in amongst other things it fosters long standing friendships and in turn understanding – I for one look forward to building upon my new friendships.

I'm conscious that all that stands between you and the rest of the evening is me so let me move on to some important thank you's and a close.
On behalf of this year’s delegation, I wanted to express our gratitude to everyone that has contributed to making this exchange the success that it has been. In particular, if you'll excuse the informality:
 Yinon for his cool and tolerant management and organization of the entire program - we really appreciated Yinon's patience and daily tireless efforts to ensure the success of the program – indeed, though he is a modest man, I wanted to point out to all that on several occasions he went above and beyond the call of duty and used his personal contacts outside of the air force to really give the delegation the very best including but not limited to the visit to the Merkava factory, the dinner at the Dan Hotel in Eilat, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
 Although there is no time to properly cite the credit that is so richly deserved - a big thank you also to Yinon's team including Yoav, Shai, Lyan, Danielle, Tal and Linor.
Also thank yous to:

Liran, our tour guide and voice of reason who went to tremendous efforts to retain objectivity and balance in all that he showed and said while permanently displaying a kind smile and lots of energy.
Yariv - an adept coach driver and great guy.
The IAF security team, the photographic section and medics.

 Pat Zuckerman for organizing the volunteer hosts without whom this program format simply could not work and of course to the host families themselves for their enduring kindness, hospitality, time and generosity.
 Also a personal thank you to Bas for never providing a dull moment and to Francois for hanging up my washing.

Lastly, a big thank you to the Israel Air Force for hosting us despite their security sensitivities.
I leave you with this - the delegates of the IACE 2009 trip to Israel have been caught entirely off guard - rather than visiting a third world country where they were in danger, they have been met with a sophisticated country with all the conveniences of home as evidenced by an average life expectancy higher than that of many of their own countries. Their experience of Israeli's has been one of  a hospitable, kind and caring people where it is traditional for the mother of the home to worry about them and definitely overfeed them at every given opportunity – this truth is one I believe they will prefer over the concept of a state that is oppressive to its neighbors. Perhaps our impromptu visit to the Beit Loewenstein rehabilitation hospital where peoples of all colors, religions, shapes and sizes are treated equally will add to reinforce the point.
The surprise that Israel has been to the delegates is a message that will be carried home with the memories and friendships hopefully being ones that will endure the test of time.
 ANU HACADETIM VEMELAVIM MODIM LE COOLCHEM AL KOL HASEDER HA-ERUACH HARBEI BRIUT OSHER HATZLACHA VEBEEKAR SHALOM!! VE OOLAI BESHANA HABA BEYERUSHALAYIM. TODA.

ANDREW KRAUSZ - LONDON