Major S had carried out hundreds of complex operations during his 10-year stint in the Israeli air force but nothing was as daunting as the one launched against Iran last month.

The air force pilot, flanked by dozens of F-16 fighter jets and refuelling planes, descended into a “dark space” in the Middle East on Oct 26.

The mission had two clear goals: hitting Iran’s air defence systems and ballistic missile production sites.

Guiding his F-16 through Iranian airspace, Major S – like all Israeli fighter pilots - knew he could be shot down or taken as a hostage in enemy territory but did so anyway with “pride”.

Sitting directly behind him, his wingman inserted the targets’ coordinates into the jet’s system as Major S flew the plane and scoured the airspace for any threats.

Major S then pulled the trigger to release the bombs, marking the first major aerial operation against the Islamic Republic in Israel’s history.