Giora Epstein
Giora Epstein | |
|---|---|
Epstein in 1998 | |
| Nickname | Enei netz (Hawkeye) |
| Born | 20 May 1938 |
| Died | 19 July 2025 (aged 87) Ramat HaSharon, Israel |
| Allegiance | Israel |
| Branch | Israeli Air Force |
| Service years | 1956–1997 |
| Rank | Tat aluf |
| Battles and wars | |
| Other work | El Al pilot (1977–1997) |
Brigadier General Giora Epstein (Hebrew: גיורא אפשטיין; 20 May 1938 – 19 July 2025), later known as Giora Even (Hebrew: גיורא אבן), was an 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. Epstein was an active IAF pilot from 1961 until 26 May 1997, when he retired at age 59. Like many retired IAF flyers, he later worked as a pilot for El Al Airlines.