Born: 1932 (Tel Aviv, Israel)
Died: 2006
Biography:
Yael Rom (Hebrew: יעל רום; 1932–2006), born Yael Finkelstein, was one of the first female pilots of the Israeli Air Force and the first trained and certified by the force. She played a significant role in breaking barriers for women in the military and aviation fields in Israel. Rom’s determination and courage paved the way for future generations of women to pursue careers in aviation.
Born in Tel Aviv in 1932, Yael Rom showed an early interest in aviation. After graduating high school in 1950, she was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces Youth Corps. Alongside 29 other members of the corps, Rom successfully passed the demanding pilot examinations conducted by the Israeli Air Force (IAF). Demonstrating exceptional skills and determination, she was selected among six other cadets to continue on to the basic pilot’s course.
During her training, Rom excelled in flying the Stearman Kaydet, a primary training aircraft. She then progressed to twin-engined aircraft and became a certified flight instructor. On December 27, 1951, Rom proudly received her wings, graduating from the IAF’s 5th flying course. Although she was not the first female pilot in the IAF, as commonly believed, she was among the first women to be trained and certified by the force, and the only one to serve actively.
Following her graduation, Rom was initially transferred back to the Youth Corps to fulfill the role of instructing future cadets. However, she persisted in her desire to continue her career in the air force. After six months of petitioning the IDF, Rom’s request to return to the IAF was finally granted. In 1953, she joined the ranks of the prestigious 103rd Flying Elephants Squadron, where she operated the Douglas C-47 Dakota transport aircraft.
Rom’s exemplary service continued even after her discharge from the IDF. She remained an active reserve pilot and was called up in October 1956 to participate in Operation Machbesh (Press), the Israeli parachute drop that marked the beginning of the Suez War. As the co-pilot of the lead C-47 in a 16-ship formation, Rom played a vital role in dropping Israeli paratroops at the crucial Mitla Pass. She then dedicated herself to shuttling supplies to the troops in the Sinai and evacuating the wounded. Rom was present on the first aircraft to land at Sharm el-Sheik after its capture by Israeli forces, demonstrating her exemplary piloting skills. On November 3, she also dropped paratroops at El-Tor, showcasing her bravery and dedication to her country.
After the birth of her first daughter, Rom retired from her reserve service in 1962. She had initially failed to report the birth in order to evade the IDF’s policy of discharging mothers. Following her military career, Rom pursued higher education and graduated from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, earning a degree in history and political science, as well as a teacher’s certificate.
Yael Rom’s dedication to education and her passion for making a positive impact on society led her to work at the Technion Institute of Technology between 1960 and 1982. During her time at the institution, she focused on educational research, consultation, and administration. Rom played a significant role in establishing a unit that provided academic support to underrepresented groups, including minorities and the handicapped. Her initiatives ensured that individuals from diverse backgrounds had equal opportunities to succeed in their academic pursuits.
Yael Rom’s groundbreaking career in the Israeli Air Force and her contributions to education and society make her an inspirational figure. Her determination, perseverance, and trailblazing spirit helped pave the way for women in aviation and the military in Israel. Rom’s legacy lives on in the countless women who have followed in her footsteps and continue to shatter gender barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.