Outgoing Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Dan Halutz told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense committee Tuesday that the IDF has never been stronger.

Speaking at a farewell meeting with the committee, Halutz said that, "A powerful army guarantees a powerful Israel. This notion should be upheld as a banner above all other banners, because it indicates at Israel's quality."

Committee chairman MK Tzachi Hanegbi (Kadima) commended the outgoing chief of staff for his contribution to national security.

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"Were we in uniform," Hanegbi said, "We would salute you."

Halutz' replacement, Gabi Ashkenazi, will take up his post Wednesday, at a ceremony at the prime minister's bureau, in the presence of the prime minister, the defense minister, other cabinet ministers and officers of the General Staff.

Halutz and Ashkenazi will then go on to the General Staff headquarters in Tel Aviv for another ceremony, to be attended by other IDF senior officers and Defense Ministry officials.

Halutz will serve in the reserves as a flight instructor, at the request of Israel Air Force commander Major General Eliezer Shkedy. Halutz mentioned his new posting on a number of occasions during a round of farewells from various units over the past few weeks.

The IAF flight school, located at the Hatzerim air base in the Negev, often avails itself of veteran pilots, who have had to retire from active duty due to their age, to teach its cadets. The maximum age for operational service as a pilot is 60; Halutz is 58 years old.

The veterans train the cadets on light aircraft, and also participate in selection trials for flight-school hopefuls.