Squadron 249 Emblem – “Firebird” Squadron

**Squadron 249 Emblem – “Firebird” Squadron**

Squadron 249, also known as the “Elad Squadron,” named in memory of fire lookout Elad Riven who perished in the Carmel wildfire, serves as the aerial firefighting unit of the State of Israel.

The squadron is composed of personnel from the Operations Division of the Israel National Fire and Rescue Authority and operates the national fleet of firefighting aircraft, providing rapid aerial response to large-scale fires and supporting ground forces during emergency incidents across the country.