Herzl Budinger, architect of Israel’s air power in Lebanon, passes away at 82

Under his command, the IAF improved long-range strike capabilities, introduced Black Hawk helicopters, and decided to procure F-15I fighter jets.

By Pesach Benson, TPS

Maj. Gen. (Res.) Herzl Budinger, who led the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in the 1990s and opened the elite pilots’ course to women, passed away Sunday at the age of 82, his family announced.

Budinger, the IAF’s 12th commander, served from 1992 to 1996—a period marked by major air operations in Lebanon and significant technological upgrades.

His son, Ilan, announced his death on social media: “Our general, literally, ‘recently landed’ and said goodbye to us… We choose to remember everything he accomplished in his life—and not what he missed.”

Born in Haifa in 1943 and raised in Kiryat Motzkin, Budinger joined the Air Force in 1961.

After flight school, he was assigned to various combat squadrons, surviving several close calls early in his career.

In a 1964 training accident, his plane caught fire, forcing an emergency landing that left him with a back injury.

During the 1967 Six-Day War, Budinger took part in raids on Egyptian and Iraqi airfields.

In the 1973 Yom Kippur War, he shot down a Syrian MiG-17 while flying a Mirage fighter. After his commander was killed, he was appointed head of Israel’s famed 101st Squadron.

In 1974, amid renewed clashes with Syria, Budinger downed a Syrian MiG-21 over Lebanon.

A year later, he piloted the first locally produced Kfir jet delivered to the IAF by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Over the next decade, he commanded the Air Force Flight School, the Ramat David air base, and served as Air Force Chief of Staff.

In 1985, Budinger ordered the downing of two Syrian MiG-23s approaching Israeli aircraft over Lebanon.

An inquiry later urged “greater discretion” but concluded that his decision was “reasonable in light of the data he received.”

As Air Force commander, Budinger oversaw Operation Accountability in 1993 and Operation Grapes of Wrath in 1996, both targeting Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon.

He personally flew a nighttime sortie during the latter — his 451st and final operational mission.

Under his command, the IAF improved long-range strike capabilities, introduced Black Hawk helicopters, and decided to procure F-15I fighter jets.

Budinger also played a role in modernizing the Air Force’s personnel policies.

In 1994, officer Alice Miller petitioned Israel’s High Court after being denied flight training because she was a woman.

Though the military initially argued the course was unsuitable for women, the Court ruled in Miller’s favor in 1996, compelling the IAF to admit female candidates for the first time.

Known for his discipline and professionalism, Budinger was respected as a “pilot’s commander” — a leader who demanded excellence while leading by example.

After retiring in 1996, he became president of Rada Electronic Industries and later chaired the defense industry committee of Israel’s Manufacturers’ Association.

He briefly served on a Defense Ministry commission reviewing the 2006 Lebanon War but resigned for personal reasons.

Budinger also studied economics and business administration at Bar-Ilan University and completed an executive program at Harvard.

In 2013, Budinger was a finalist for Israel’s National Security Advisor, though the position was given to Yossi Cohen, a career Mossad officer.