Military unit
Unit 5101
, more commonly known as
Shaldag
[1]
(
Hebrew
:
????
,
Kingfisher
), is one of the premier
Israeli Air Force
(IAF)
Sayeret
units. The unit is part of the 7th Special Air Forces Wing and is based in the
Palmachim Airbase
. The unit is led by an officer at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
[2]
It specializes in clandestine operation, combat search and rescue, commando style raids, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, military intelligence operations, special operations, and special reconnaissance within enemy territory.
[3]
[4]
History
[
edit
]
Shaldag was founded in 1974, in the aftermath of the
Yom Kippur War
, by
Muki Betser
, a
Sayeret Matkal
veteran who brought several Matkal veterans with him. Initially operating as a Sayeret Matkal reserve company, it was eventually transferred to the IAF.
[5]
[6]
Shaldag's mission is to deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to conduct special
reconnaissance
, establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control and commando actions. Shaldag operates from
Palmachim Airbase
.
[5]
Its soldiers carry
M16
or
M4A1
assault rifles fitted with the
M203 grenade launcher
. For special missions, they carry
Glock 17
and
19
9×19mm series pistols and
Mauser
SR 82/66 sniper rifles.
[7]
Recruitment and training
[
edit
]
In order to be considered for service in the unit, candidates must have a medical profile between 82-97. Candidates who pass the initial commando units day selection, undergo a 5-day commando selection trial for
Sayeret Matkal
/ Shaldag /
Unit 669
. Candidates who are accepted are enlisted in the November draft. Medics in the unit are drafted in August.
Shaldag Unit operators undergo the longest training phase of any unit in the IDF, lasting 22 months, and training has a heavy emphasis on navigation. Training consists of phases, with navigation exercises between each phase, designed to provide extensive navigation experience while alleviating intense physical tension from long forced marches with heavy weights. The phases are:
[8]
- Six months of basic and advanced infantry training.
- Parachuting course at the IDF's parachuting school.
- Counter-terrorism course at the IDF's counter-terrorism school.
- All-weather and all-terrain navigation exercises.
- Air-to-ground cooperation and airborne operations.
- Intelligence gathering, communication and reconnaissance training.
- Specialized training for those with designated roles such as medics and snipers.
- Two-week course in enduring enemy captivity, including being subjected to a surprise mock kidnapping, held in prison-like conditions, and subjected to threats, interrogation, physical violence and humiliation.
At the end of their training, Shaldag operators receive a book about
David Stirling
and the
SAS
's campaign in
North Africa
.
[8]
Unit members who finish their training are required to sign on for 24 months of career services, in addition to their mandatory service of 2 years and 8 months.
[9]
Unit pin and emblem
[
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]
The unit's warrior pin and the unit's insignia were created in 1987 while
Avihu Ben-Nun
was the IAF commander. The warrior pin includes a kingfisher, wings, and a star of David. The unit's name apparently originates from a quote by David Stirling, founder of the British SAS, who said his unit will come down on an enemy like a kingfisher comes down on its prey.
[2]
Known operations
[
edit
]
Shaldag carried out several missions during
Operation Litani
of 1978. One of its last missions was reconnaissance near
Hasbaya
. The unit crossed into enemy territory, came under fire, and a team commander lost his leg to a landmine. The company commander managed to retreat without further casualties or the loss of equipment.
[6]
It took part in the
1982 Lebanon War
, and assisted in
Operation Mole Cricket 19
.
[8]
In 1984 Shaldag took part in
Operation Moses
in
Sudan
. In 1991 it took part in
Operation Solomon
: On May 24?25, under the command of
Benny Gantz
, Shaldag unit secured the airlift of 14,000
Ethiopian Jews
from
Addis Ababa
to Israel.
[6]
During the
First Intifada
, its operatives were the first to mount undercover operations in civilian disguises in the Palestinian territories, prior to the formation of the
Samson Unit
and
Duvdevan Unit
.
[8]
During the
1982?2000 South Lebanon conflict
, Shaldag took part in operations
Accountability
and
Grapes of Wrath
. It proved particularly valuable during the latter, when it helped quickly pinpoint Hezbollah rocket squads in time for the Israeli Air Force to take them out.
[8]
It received the
Chief of Staff Citation
for its conduct in that operation.
[6]
It also participated in the
Second Intifada
, and is known to have been responsible for the assassination of Yussef Abu Sway, a Palestinian militant who had taken part in shooting attacks against Israelis.
[10]
During the
2006 Lebanon War
, Shaldag took part in
Operation Sharp and Smooth
, the August 1 raid on
Baalbek
. Delivered by helicopters near Baalbek at 01:00, its troops proceeded north to the Sheik Habib neighborhood in order to arrest suspected
Hezbollah
operatives. En route, they encountered four Hezbollah fighters and killed them. A total of 19 Hezbollah fighters were killed, with no Israeli fatalities.
[11]
[12]
In 2007 Shaldag was also reportedly involved in
Operation Orchard
, the destruction of a Syrian nuclear reactor. The unit is reported to have infiltrated an underground depot near the Syrian site suspected of being a
nuclear reactor
, in order to
designate
the target for the incoming Israeli fighters that destroyed it.
[13]
During the
2014 Gaza War
, Shaldag operatives assisted in uncovering Hamas tunnels, and provided support for IDF units operating during fighting in Gaza. Notably, a Shaldag sniper team supported
Nahal Brigade
infantry forces in the northern Gaza Strip.
[14]
According to the Israeli Air Force's official twitter, Shaldag is actively involved in the
Israel?Hamas war
.
[15]
During the
Be'eri massacre
twelve Shaldag airmen were airlifted by helicopter into Kibbutz Be'eri. The Israeli military was not able to send any more reinforcements to Kibbutz Be'eri for 12 more hours. 5 members of the unit were killed and one injured.
[16]
[17]
Notable members
[
edit
]
See also
[
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]
References
[
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]
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History
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Branches and components
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Air bases
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Formations and units
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Equipment
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