Israel Air Force Establishes All-Female Special Forces Unit for Base Defense
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
The Israeli Air Force is launching its first all-female special forces unit, "Arad," to enhance Air Force base security following the October 7th attacks. The unit will be stationed at Nevatim Airbase and will conduct patrols, counter drone threats, and respond to infiltrations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to strengthen base defenses, including the permanent stationing of other elite units and police forces at various Air Force bases.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Israeli Air Force is establishing its first all-female special forces unit, named Arad, for base defense.
- The unit's creation is a direct response to security failures identified after the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
- Arad will be stationed at Nevatim Airbase and will conduct patrols, counter drone threats, and respond to infiltrations.
- The unit will undergo extensive training comparable to elite reconnaissance and sabotage units.
- This initiative is part of a larger plan to reinforce Air Force bases with additional elite and infantry units.
The Israeli Air Force is set to complete the training of its first all-female special forces unit, named "Arad," next week. This new elite unit, part of the Air Force's 7th Wing which includes units like Shaldag and Unit 669, was established following lessons learned from the October 7, 2023 attacks and a review of Air Force base security concepts. The female soldiers have undergone extensive training, comparable to reconnaissance and sabotage units, and will be equipped with advanced weaponry. Initially, their commanders and instructors will be drawn from the Shaldag unit, with the aim of developing their own command structure over time. The first combat company, comprising several dozen soldiers, completed an eight-month training course and will be stationed at Nevatim Airbase in the Negev. This base hosts F-35 squadrons, refueling aircraft, and the "Nachshon" squadron. The unit's responsibilities will include overt and covert patrolling outside the base, apprehending individuals suspected of planning attacks, countering drones, and responding to any base infiltrations. They will operate in close coordination with the police and the Shin Bet. The IDF has expressed concerns about potential sabotage or infiltration attempts by Bedouin criminal groups. Future training cycles will establish additional companies for other Air Force bases. In parallel, the Air Force is reinforcing its bases by permanently stationing elite and infantry units to bolster defense in case of attacks. These include the Border Protection School at Ovda, Shaldag's main base at Palmachim, Unit 669 and the "Marom" paratrooper unit at Tel Nof, and an infantry unit at Ramon. Special police units, including aviation, will be moved to Hazor Airbase. The IDF is also considering relocating the Golani Brigade's headquarters and the "Egoz" reconnaissance unit's headquarters from Sharaga base to Ramat David Airbase. This initiative follows a state comptroller's report highlighting significant security deficiencies at strategic Israeli sites, including Air Force bases, and the discovery that some Hamas operatives possessed maps of access routes to the Hatzor, Hatzerim, and Tel Nof Air Force bases after the October 7th attack.
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