IAF Unveils New Special Forces Wing

13 July, 2020   |   4 years ago

Jerusalem, 13 July, 2020 (TPS) -- The Israel Air Force (IAF) marked on Sunday the opening of the new Special Forces Wing. The new wing includes the IAF’s Shaldag elite unit, the 669 Search and Rescue Unit, and the Frontal Landing Unit which will later be joined by an intelligence unit and a training school for Special Air Force combat troops.

The opening ceremony for the 7th Wing – the Special Forces Wing was held at Palmachim Air Force Base.

The new wing “enhances the IAF’s capabilities and is a complementary and unique component to its activity, by allowing for more operational freedom and diversity in special missions in routine and emergency,” the IAF stated.

“We are in times of regional change – with a global pandemic and a battlefield becoming more complex every day. Our commanders understand that these changes force us to adapt to the challenges that the future holds”, said IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, during the opening ceremony.

The 7th Wing was created “due to operational needs and the changing and increasing threats on different fronts, as part of a broader process to strengthen and sharpen the special unit’s operational effectiveness,” the IDF stated.

“A systemic organization of Special Forces, which focuses on unique operational response to the IAF’s challenges, is a dream for the IDF’s Special Forces personnel and in general”, said Commander of the Wing, Col. E. “The time has come, and also in the IAF, our special forces are at the core.”

“We are combining the capabilities of “Shaldag” with Unit 669 and the Frontal Landing Unit, adding the assets of our Materiel Directorate, combining their operational and training departments, changing and improving the building process, upgrading our intelligence capabilities – and making the IAF a better Air Force”, concluded Maj Gen. Norkin. “Today, we are embarking upon the next chapter in the history of the Aerial Special Forces – we were carried on the shoulders of those who dared before us, and it is now our turn to lead the way”.