Wikipedia

Unit 5700

Unit 5700 also known as Forward Air Field Tactical Unit (Hebrew acronym YAHAK) is a special unit of the Israeli Air Force concerned with establishing and operating temporary forward landing bases for transport, reinforcement, logistics, and other purposes. Along with Shaldag Unit and Unit 669, it constitutes the special forces wing of Israeli Air Force.

Unit 5700
יחידת ההנחתה הקדמית
Unit logo
ActiveDecember 10, 1973 – present
Country Israel
Branch Israeli Air Force
TypeSpecial Operations Force
RoleAirfield Assault Zone establishment, special reconnaissance, Air traffic control, fire support
Part of Israeli Air Force
Garrison/HQNevatim Airbase
Nickname(s)YAHAK
EngagementsYom Kippur War
Operation Litani
1982 Lebanon War
Operation Moshe
Israel-Hamas war
Insignia
Former Insignia

Roles

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The mission of the unit is to locate and operate forward airfields and airstrips usable for aircraft, which are not permanent airfields of the Israeli Air Force.

The role is carried out by a "frontal assault lander and includes paratroopers, examining the suitability of the region for the task, marking them and establishing temporary airstrip.[1] The inspection of the intended runways is carried out by a "soil examiner" who is also the professional authority that approves the landing on the spot.The work is carried out with the transport planes and various aircraft and it requires knowledge of communication and flight control and infantry , navigation and mobility skills.[2]

 
A transport plane lands at an airstrip constructed by unit 5700 in April 2021

It also plays to role in the security of Airforce installations. The role of the unit is similar to that of United States Air Force Combat Control Team.

History

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The unit was established on December 10, 1973, at the Lod Airbase . Avraham Shavit was the first to establish the unit then called as the "route branch".[3] In the Yom Kippur War, the unit participated under the command of Amos Jordan. In 1978 she participated in Operation Litani.[4] In the 1982 Lebanon War, the unit was deployed at the Beirut International Airport for Air Force operations, and at Anzer, Marj and Damour. In Operation Moshe, the unit's soldiers helped in the evacuation of Ethiopian Jews. The unit also transported humanitarian aid to Rwanda and took part in military exercises in Mexico. In 2009, the unit was deployed at the Nevatim Airbase.[5] In 2009, the unit joined the Special Air Forces Command of Israeli Air Force. In 2022, it was transferred to Special Air Forces Wing.[6] The unit also participated in the Israel-Hamas war.[7] In 2024, female personnel were integrated into the unit for the first time.[8]

Selection & Training

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  • Prerequisites : medical profile 82 or higher, KBA [he] 53 or higher, DPR [he] 50 or higher. The screening includes computerized tests, medical examinations, a security investigation and an interview.
  • Military training - Same training as that given to Unit 669 and Shaldag Unit special operatives.
  • Recruitment - a limited, one-year recruitment cycle, held at the end of November.

Sources & References

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  1. ^ "מנחית סער קדמי". Mitgaisim (in Hebrew). Retrieved 23 July 2024.
  2. ^ https://www.iaf.org.il/9549-55734-he/IAF.aspx
  3. ^ מלחמת יום כיפור וחיל האוויר (PDF).
  4. ^ מבצע ליטני (PDF).
  5. ^ https://www.iaf.org.il/9484-54000-he/IAF.aspx
  6. ^ ברוכים הבאים לכנף 7 - הבית החדש של כוחות האוויר המיוחדים, On the IDF website, July 12, 2020, compiled in the Web Archive
  7. ^ "לראשונה: שלוש לוחמות מצטרפות ליחידת הנחיתה הקדמית של חיל האוויר, ישראל דיפנס". www.israeldefense.co.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  8. ^ Shani Perlberg (20 June 2024). "הלוחמות הראשונות באגף 7 אומרות: "חובת ההוכחה עלינו"". IAF website (in Hebrew).
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