Lt.-Col. Erez Sachyani and Major Chen Fogel were identified on Tuesday as the pilots killed in a helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa late Monday.

Sachyani (38) served as deputy commander of the Ramat David airbase in northern Israel. He was married and a father of three.

Fogel (27) was a helicopter pilot and Deputy Commander of the 193 Squadron at Ramat David. He was posthumously promoted from Captain to Major.

Prime Minister Bennett in a statement said:

�It�s a difficult day for Israel. We lost two sons, two pilots, some of our best,� he says. �I share in the grief of the families for the loss of Lt. Col. Erez Sachyani and Maj. Chen Fogel, men who gave their lives for Israel�s security, day after day, night after night.�

Bennett also wished a swift recovery to the naval officer wounded in the crash.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)