He joined the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in 1985 – going from air cadet to commander of Israel’s Air Force. He served as deputy commander in F-4 and F-16 squadrons before being appointed F-16I squadron commander for the Air Force’s reception of the most advanced fighter aircraft of the time. As a brigadier general, he commanded the Tel Nof airbase before being appointed head of the Air Division and chief of air staff.
Mr. Norkin’s operational experience and leadership qualities would eventually take him away from the IAF to head the IDF’s Planning Directorate as a major general. He led the planning and execution of the IDF’s annual and multi-year work plan, which included representing the IDF in talks with the United States that preserved Israel’s qualitative military edge.
In 2017, he was appointed commander of the Israel Air Force. In this senior position, he was responsible for IAF force design and operational employment, while preparing for future challenges.
Under Norkin’s command, the IAF entered into the era of fifth-generation fighter jets, while also building regional and global military relations to enhance regional stability. His efforts to promote relations between the IAF and the German Air Force were recognized by the President of Germany, and he was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit in 2021. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit from the American Secretary of Defense, one of the highest American military medals that can be awarded to foreign officers.
His five-year tenure as IAF commander ended in April 2022.
His style of command set high professional standards while nurturing the talents of younger generations of soldiers and officers — with excellence as his guiding principle.
Major-General Norkin has a B.A. in Economics and M.A. in National Defense – both from the University of Haifa. He completed his M.A. with honors while a student in the Israel National Defense College and is also a graduate of the High Impact Leadership Program from Columbia University.
Mr. Norkin was born in 1966 in the small northern community of Beit Sha’arim, the eldest of five children. He is married to Aviva and is the proud father of three daughters.