Palace Lehavim Senior Living Management Takes Flight in F-16 Simulator for Leadership Training

The management team of Palace Lehavim, a senior living community operated by the Azrieli Group, participated in a unique leadership and teamwork training day at the Israeli Air Force's elite simulator squadron in Glilot. The immersive day was designed to instill principles of organizational excellence inspired by the Air Force's operational culture.

As part of the experience, managers had the rare opportunity to train on a state-of-the-art F-16 fighter jet simulator, developed by Lockheed Martin, the same company that produces the F-16 and F-35 aircraft for air forces worldwide.

Participants completed two simulator flights. After the initial mission, the team underwent a thorough debriefing session led by Brigadier General (Res.) Nir Barkan, former commander of both Ramat David and Hatzerim airbases and former Chief of Staff of the Israeli Air Force.

Applying insights from the debrief, the group performed a second mission—improving their overall scores by an impressive 73%. Organizers noted that this result exemplifies how preparation, debriefing, and teamwork drive operational excellence.

Cutting-Edge Technology Enhances Realism

The flight simulation facility in Glilot operates on original Lockheed Martin software, offering one of the most realistic training environments outside of actual flight. Advanced network technology allows multiple simulators to be linked in real-time, enabling participants to conduct formation flying and team missions.

Throughout the training, comprehensive documentation and control systems were used to enable detailed analysis of flight performance, further enriching the learning process.

Leadership Lessons from the Israeli Air Force

Hagit Mishali, CEO of Palace Lehavim, emphasized the value of the experience for her team:

“On this formation day, our management team was exposed to the heritage and values of the Israeli Air Force—organizational and personal excellence, discipline, and teamwork. Experiencing what it’s like to fly a combat aircraft, even through a simulator, provided powerful lessons in leadership and collaboration.”

This special initiative reflects a growing trend in Israeli business culture, where leadership teams engage in military-inspired training programs to enhance performance, strategic thinking, and group cohesion.