How long did the Israeli F-16s' flight to Osirak last?

Short answer

About three hours: the eight Israeli F-16As took off from Etzion air base and landed there again after a three-hour mission. At 80 minutes into the flight, they approached the target, and the attack on the Osirak reactor lasted less than two minutes. The distance between the Israeli bases and the reactor exceeded 1,600 km (990 mi).

Published: November 1, 2026 · Updated: November 1, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How long did the Israeli F-16s' flight to Osirak last?

A USAF F-16 pilot breaking right on final approach over northern Las Vegas

Eight F-16As from Etzion

Eight Israeli F-16s carried out Operation Opera, their first use in a significant air-to-ground operation. The fighters belonged to the 117th and 110th squadrons, based at Ramat David, and took off from Etzion. Two further Fighting Falcons were held in reserve. The strike formation was assigned a formation of six F-15As to provide fighter cover. The distance between the Israeli military bases and the reactor site exceeded 1,600 km (990 mi; 860 nmi). The formation left Etzion and flew unchallenged through Jordanian and Saudi airspace.

Payload and fuel

Each F-16A carried two unguided Mark-84 2,000 lb (910 kg) delay-action bombs. In addition to internal fuel, it carried two 370-US-gallon external tanks under the wings and a 300-US-gallon tank under the fuselage. The aircraft were so heavily loaded that the external tanks ran dry in flight and were jettisoned over the Saudi desert.

Eighty minutes out and two minutes over the target

After 80 minutes in the air, the attackers approached the target and prepared to strike. The weapons were released over the target in two waves of four Falcons each. The attack lasted less than two minutes. The Iraqi Osirak nuclear reactor, under construction near Baghdad, was severely damaged. All the aircraft landed at Etzion after a three-hour mission.