Within minutes of detection, the command is given, and with the push of a button, the forces launch the interceptors using the "naval dome" system. A few seconds later, a bright explosion in the sky indicates that the mission has been successfully completed - and the threat has been removed.

"We held our breath and waited for the impact," recalls Captain Eili, commander of the electronics department at Achi Victory, "when it actually happened, everyone was excited, but for a moment they did not forget that the incident might not be over yet. After a few minutes, when we realized that the danger had passed, we realized the magnitude of the event - this is the first operational interception of 'Saar 6'."

To understand why this is a historic turning point, we must go back a few years - to the process of purchasing and putting the young steel into operation. Everything began with an understanding that was formulated in the sea arm - in order to meet the defense tasks, and in accordance with the security reality, a ship with the ability to stay for extended periods in the heart is needed Yam, which will have advanced interception systems, including a "naval dome".

"We have completed a complete circle," boasts Captain Eili, "we took in a new ship for the Israeli Navy, we accompanied it through the process and the implementation of the new systems, both on a technical and operational level, and finally - we successfully used them in battle. This is a tremendous privilege."

This is not "just" another successful attack - but the first interception ever, which only emphasizes the capability of the missile ship, and shows how important its presence in the field is.

"This is a defining event not only for "Victory", but for the entire sea arm in particular and the IDF in general," emphasizes the department commander, "multi-armed cooperation happened here - in the identification process another Saar 4.5 model STL also took part ', "Achi Rumah", and the air control unit. In the preparations preceding the interception, we worked with the control units of the sea and air arm, based on instructions to open fire and precautionary procedures."

That joint activity also represented a significant challenge: "It is not easy to synchronize a large number of factors that are spread far apart, to make sure that everyone looks at the same goal and understands it, to decide who performs each part of the task, and to do everything in the fastest and most efficient way."

Yesterday, the crew had already returned to the shores of Israel and were able to contact their family and friends. "On the way back," recalled Captain Eili, "they managed to call us on the "red phone", thank us and congratulate us. In the end, we are a 'small screw' in a unit that has already accumulated thousands of hours at sea since the beginning of the war, but a special event happened on our watch - one that is allowed to be talked about, unlike most of the operational activity of the 3rd Fleet, which remains under the radar."