In a special interview, the commander of the unit tells about the operations, challenges and capabilities that are revealed for the first time: from parachuting into the heart of the sea to shooting from a helicopter, escaping from an enemy country and operations with Commando unit 13. "When we arrive at the event - someone in the pit breathes a sigh of relief"

It was Thursday evening. Capt. A, the commander of the 669th elite unit's platoon of fighters, was just working out in the gym. Soon he will go on a weekend vacation. His thoughts were interrupted by a siren at the unit's base. "All senior commanders to arrive for operations," the announcement said. him quickly - before he sinks into the abyss. Captain A was required to command the mission. He ran to get the combat equipment and boarded the helicopter with four other fighters.

"The mission is clear to everyone - there is information about the UAV that no one wants to be revealed," explains Captain A. "We are looking for the aircraft in the middle of the sea, when there are five meter waves and darkness. It takes time but in the end we find it. 

Two fighters jump from the helicopter into the water followed by me and another fighter descend with a cable. Unlike the helicopter, you see things differently in the water - you hardly see anything because of the waves. We arrive at the helicopter with oxygen cylinders on the back with a smudge of fuel around it, tie it to an arriving vessel and ask a helicopter to pick us up."

But things get complicated, and the rescue helicopter doesn't arrive. "At this point I realized there was a problem and the helicopter wouldn't come," continues Captain A. "We are two hours in the water, far from Israel and there are high waves. We are talking about what is possible, about a performance by Avitar Banai that I missed with the company. 

Four warriors in the water with a crazy sense of capability of 'no matter what happens to me', in a good mood. After four hours she arrived Navy missile ship. They waited for us on board with a towel and 'Hawaii' shampoo. In the end, all that went through our minds was the main task of rescuing the aircraft and this task gives us more security. Especially in the third circuit (Iran AB). The Sea It doesn't really bother me in relation to what I'm going to meet on the ground."

Unit 669 specializes in rescuing the maneuvering forces in the war. 

In Operation Zuk Ethan they rescued ejecting pilots. The fighters rescue the wounded from everywhere, quickly and precisely - before the enemy arrives. 

They focus on reaching places where helicopters cannot access, whether they are scenes under fire or other complexities that do not allow landing. The fighters of the unit will usually be in the field before - or arrive in vehicles. At the same time, they provide an immediate response to rescues within the country's borders, including at sea and in Judea and Samaria. Last week they rescued the Border Police undercover fighters from Jenin.

Source: Amir Buchbut - Telegram