The Israel Air Force's fleet of Sikorsky CH-53 helicopters, known in Hebrew as Yasur after an amphibious bird, returned to operational flights gradually on Sunday, on the decision of IAF Commander Amikam Norkin.
The fleet was grounded about a month and a half ago, immediately after one of the choppers caught fire and was forced to make an emergency landing. An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said the interim findings of an investigation into the incident provided much information about the possible causes of the accident and the ways to safely return to flight, but have not yet conclusively determined the cause of the malfunction.