Unit 669
Encyclopedia
669 is the Israel Defense Forces
heliborne medevac
extraction unit, subordinate to the Special Air Forces Command of the Israeli Air Force
. It is considered one of the IDF's premier elite units.
Unit 669 was founded in 1974, in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War
, when an ad-hoc medevac unit made some 5000 extractions. Its initial mandate was to extract and provide initial medical treatment to downed (and possibly injured) pilots beyond enemy lines. However, in later years the unit also participated in extraction of soldiers of other arms of the Israeli Defense Forces, especially Sayeret
(Special Forces) fighters in operations beyond enemy lines and seamen in distress.
tactics and become highly efficient ground soldiers in addition to their high level of paramedic
training. Typically, their training and selection lasts 18 months. Courses that candidates must pass include:
Upon completion of their training, unit soldiers are expected to sign on for an extra 16 months of service following their three-year mandatory service.
s:
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel...
heliborne medevac
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...
extraction unit, subordinate to the Special Air Forces Command of the Israeli Air Force
Israeli Air Force
The Israeli Air Force is the air force of the State of Israel and the aerial arm of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence...
. It is considered one of the IDF's premier elite units.
History
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
, when an ad-hoc medevac unit made some 5000 extractions. Its initial mandate was to extract and provide initial medical treatment to downed (and possibly injured) pilots beyond enemy lines. However, in later years the unit also participated in extraction of soldiers of other arms of the Israeli Defense Forces, especially Sayeret
Sayeret
Sayeret , literally means "reconnaissance unit" in the Israel Defense Forces . In practice, these units specialize in commando and other special forces roles, in addition to reconnaissance...
(Special Forces) fighters in operations beyond enemy lines and seamen in distress.
Training
Due to the possibility of having to fight their way to casualties beyond enemy lines, unit soldiers are highly trained in special forcesSpecial forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
tactics and become highly efficient ground soldiers in addition to their high level of paramedic
Paramedic
A paramedic is a healthcare professional that works in emergency medical situations. Paramedics provide advanced levels of care for medical emergencies and trauma. The majority of paramedics are based in the field in ambulances, emergency response vehicles, or in specialist mobile units such as...
training. Typically, their training and selection lasts 18 months. Courses that candidates must pass include:
- Combat medics' course
- Parachuting course in the IDF Parachuting School
- Scuba Diving course
- Counter-terrorism course in the IDF Counter-Terror Warfare School
- Rappelling course
- Rescue under harsh conditions
- Navigation
- Commanders' course
Upon completion of their training, unit soldiers are expected to sign on for an extra 16 months of service following their three-year mandatory service.
Component
The unit is composed of three flightFlight (military unit)
A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
s:
- Extraction, which has a companyCompany (military unit)A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of infantrymen. - Evacuation, which has a company of airborne doctors, paramedics and nurses.
- Technical support group.
Symbol
The Unit's logo is a slinking green-eyed, black cat. The Unit's warriors are subsequently sometimes referred to as "Cats" or "Flying Cats".Notable 669 Figures
- Former unit commander (1978-1980) Dr. Efraim SnehEfraim SnehEfraim Sneh is an Israeli politician, physician, and a retired Brigadier General in the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Knesset for the Labor Party between 1992 and 2008 and served in several ministerial posts...
, rose to become a Brigadier GeneralBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
, a KnessetKnessetThe Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
member and government minister (Health; Transportation; deputy Defense Minister). - Noam Tur - Israeli model and celebrity.
See also
- IDF Home Front Search & Rescue UnitBahad 16Bahad 16 is a training base belonging to the Israel Defense Forces . Located in the Tzrifin container base, it is the training base and a base of operations for the IDF Home Front Command Search and Rescue unit...
- Sayeret MatkalSayeret MatkalSayeret Matkal is a special forces unit of the Israel Defence Forces , which is subordinated to the intelligence directorate Aman. First and foremost a field intelligence-gathering unit, conducting deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines to obtain strategic intelligence, Sayeret Matkal is also...
- Shayetet 13Shayetet 13Shayetet 13 is the elite naval commando unit of the Israeli Navy. The unit is considered one of the primary Special Forces units of the Israel Defense Forces . S'13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and...
- ShaldagShaldag UnitShaldag , also known as Special Air-Ground Designating Team and Unit 5101, is an elite Israeli Air Force commando unit.- History :...
- United States Air Force Pararescue