(IDF) IDF & Israel Ministry Of Defense Send A Humanitarian Aid Delegation To Relieve Columbian Flood Victims

"Today (Sunday, December 12th 2010), the IDF and the Israel Ministry of Defense sent a humanitarian aid delegation to provide medical care and services to the flood victims in Columbia.

The delegation will carry approximately 50 tons of equipment to Columbia, including 20 tons of dry foods, five thousand medical kits, two thousand blankets, one thousand poncho jacket, one thousand mattresses, and one hundred tents.



Commander of Home Front Command’s National Search and Rescue Unit, Brig. Gen. (Res.) Shalom Ben-Arye, said: 'The IDF instructed the Home Front Command to send a humanitarian aid delegation to the Columbian flood victims. We are to land in Columbia, distribute the aid and return only once our mission is completed.'

Deputy General Manager of the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Bezalel Treiber, said: 'Over the past two days there has been a rapid deployment, including approximately 50 tons of equipment. The delegation will now set out for Columbia. I wish to thank the delegation staff, the Home Front Command and the Ministry of Defense and wish them luck on their mission.'" (source)

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(IDF) IDF Watchmen At Sea

"IDF Website joined the Israeli Navy’s Dvora company responsible for routine security on borders for a short dive into the maritime fighters’ world.

The Israeli Navy’s Dvora Company is one of the busiest in the entire Navy. Day by day, hour by hour, the company’s soldiers guard Israel’s maritime border, fighting alongside the rest of the Navy in a state of emergency. But it’s not enough to be a savvy mechanic or a savvy sailor to be a Dvora fighter. You must be able to live at sea for long periods of time in a small, contained dwelling that sways to and fro.



IDF Website joined company 914 on their training for various scenarios on the northern border. At noon on the platform, a number of Dvora patrol boats from the Pras commando unit were ready to set out for a training exercise. The weather was unusually hot for November, breezy, the sea waters calm and flat. The soldiers ran back and forth on the platform, yelling instructions at each other. One could feel the excitement rising as the time to set out to sea approached.

Within a few minutes, the boats began leaving the dock one by one, amid a fanfare of the soldiers’ shouts and songs bursting from the boats’ speakers. Six hours later, we found ourselves in the heart of the ocean, surrounded by utter darkness and gusts of freezing wind around us.

The maritime border guard

When one speaks about the Israeli Navy, one immediately thinks of the Shayetet 13 naval commandos, the Submarine Commando or missile ships but the Dvora Company works very quietly and just as hard. The company, sometimes called Batash, keeps an eye on the maritime border and makes sure that no hostile perpetrator enters Israel’s territorial waters. The company operates 365 days a year and 24 hours a day, in every season and in every situation. Though most of the work is routine security, the company also holds monthly training exercises to be prepared for any possible scenario.

The Dvora Company is named after its legendary naval vessel, the Dvor, which, until recently, was the only one it sailed. Its been replaced these past few years by the Super Dvora Mk III and the Shaldag class Fast Patrol Boats. The Dvora is light and small, a 5.7-meter wide patrol boat able to reach high speeds. The Dvora has front and rear cannons as well as two machine guns. The company is divided into units commanded by officers with the rank of Captain.

Cooperation with ground forces

The exercise begins when four Dvora boats meet in the heart of the ocean, just off Haifa’s coast, for a competition called 'measurements'. The purpose of the competition is to raise the soldiers’ motivation for the training exercise, the mission to prepare the Dvora boat for operations in several steps. The winning Dvora is the one which finishes the mission first.

In the second part of the exercise, the Dvora soldiers practiced seamanship, routine security measure scenarios and shooting at night. During the training, soldiers did not stop working for a minute - not one minute of rest. Though the work is divided between seamanship and mechanics the sailor-mechanics do most of the work together with impressive professionalism.



An unexpected guest joined the training, namely the 914 Company’s Commander, Lt. Col. Oren Nahbas. Apparently, hospitality is part of the Dvora’s personnel tradition. 'We’re kind of sadistic,' told us Oren with a mischievous smile. 'We like it when people join us, get wet and throw up,' he said referring to us. As mentioned, it is not easy to serve at sea. The Dvora soldier spends an average of 200 hours per month at sea. 'The company’s weekly schedule is packed,' said Lt. Col. Nahbas and explained that besides routine security patrols, the Dvora boats and soldiers need to always be ready to go into combat and therefore are required to carry out many training exercise because 'we must not get complacent.'

These days, the company is striving to conduct training exercises according to the lessons learnt from the Second Lebanon War, Operation Cast Lead and Operation Sea Breeze (the Turkish flotilla to the Gaza Strip). The company that we joined did not take a significant part in Operation Cast Lead, but the successes resulting from cooperation between the Navy, ground and air forces have to do with them as well. 'That was a big success in terms of cooperation between the Navy and the ground forces, a kind of quantum leap,' explained Lt. Col. Nahbas.

'You need to know how to win in every situation'

In order to maintain the calm at the northern border, the Israeli Navy tries to reduce friction with the Lebanese. UN vessels also sail at sea, just like at land borders, and the Navy is usually in constant contact with the Coordination Headquarters, called N.O.C. 'Following the event that occurred last August at the border between Israel and Lebanon which resulted in the death of a Battalion Commander in reserves, we maintain a particularly high level of alertness,' explained Lt. Col. Nahbas. 'We want to heighten awareness and prepare ourselves for every scenario.'

At the end of the exercise, on the way back to port, the Dvora boats lit up the sky with their lights. There was a special feeling of excitement in the air, as before a get together. Once all the Dvora boats had been tied to port, the Company Commander sat members of one of the Dvora boats on the bow of the boat and summarized the exercise. The soldiers were already tired and could hardly cooperate. 'You need to know how to win in every situation,' the Company Commander said simply." (source)

(IDF) New IDF Positions To Assist The Palestinian Civilian Population

"The IDF and the COGAT recently decided to create more positions of officers assisting the Palestinian civilian population during combat.

The unforgettable images from Operation Cast Lead in which Israeli soldiers can be seen fighting among the Gaza Strip’s civilian population led the Civil Administration to make a decision: in combat, a Population Assistance Officer will be assigned to every battalion, the officer being in charge of population evacuation, the opening of humanitarian aid routes and evacuation of injured civilians to hospitals.

An official order detailing the officer’s role in combat was recently written at the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) headquarters in coordination with Ground Forces. The order was written to define a training routine appropriate for the role’s requirements, namely the issue of civilian populations at the site of military operations.

The position’s first training course will begin in December 2010 in the School for Communication and Coordination in Tzrifin and will train reserve officers.

According to COGAT, the course is expected to educate as many as twenty reserve officers for a week, covering the subject of the civilian component in combat.

The need for a role assisting civilian populations at a battalion level was raised following humanitarian issues during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip in January 2009. At the time, Population Assistance Officers were assigned to entire brigades, operating under tremendous pressure. Ultimately, their role was regarded as essential to the success of a mission. 'During a fight, civilians are a component that absolutely must be taken into account and influences operations,' explained a representative from the School for Communication and Coordination. 'The operation made it even clearer that there is a need for these officers at the battalion level.'" (source)

(IDF) Overview & Activities Of The Civil Administration’s Trade & Industry Office

"The Civil Administration is the body responsible for the coordination and administration of civilian and humanitarian needs in the West Bank. In order to improve transparency and make as much information available as possible, the Trade and Industry Office, the Civil Administration department which coordinates economic relations and supports development in the West Bank, has published a report on its activities as part of the Civil Administration Quarterly series. The report focuses on three aspects of the Trade and Industry Office: import-export activity from overseas, the facilitation of dual-use items into Palestinian territories, and finally, industrial and economic projects in Area C of the West Bank. Below are the main points of the document:

• In Areas A and B of the West Bank (around 40% of the West Bank area), most civil authorities are under the Palestinian Authority. These authorities coordinate closely with the Civil Administration. In Area C (60% of the West Bank in which only 150,000 Palestinians reside), the Civil Administration acts as a liaison between Palestinian and Israeli authorities to promote common interests, working for the well-being of both the Israeli and Palestinian populations in the West Bank region.

• The Economics Branch of the Civil Administration, under which the Trade and Industry Office serves, promotes economic growth in the West Bank by balancing security needs with the needs of Palestinian and Israeli business communities. Projects undertaken in the last year include: (1) extending operating hours for terminals and border crossing points; (2) expanding access to Israel for over 600 prominent Palestinian businessmen; (3) increasing work permit quotas to 25,000, and more.

• The Economic Branch initiates field visits and professional workshops for Palestinian businessmen in Israel—including guided visits to Israel, seminars with Israeli officials from the Economic Ministry, and promotion of Palestinian business ventures in Israeli trade fares and exhibitions. The Branch staff meets regularly with Palestinian Authority officials and representatives of international organizations promoting economic growth in the West Bank.

• All Palestinian import/export requests handed over to the Coordinator are generally approved within 24 to 48 hours.

Certain specialized construction goods require an expert opinion and authorization which, until recently took several weeks to procure. The Civil Administration has therefore recruited an expert engineer in order to shorten the process to four working days.

• In 2009 the Foreign Trade Coordinator processed and granted:

289 import licenses
1199 exemptions from standards and labels
405 requests for the release of bonded goods
632 requests for the registration of new Palestinian importers

• Some imports are listed as 'dual-use': intended for civilian use but potentially used for terrorist activities. There are 55 items listed by the Civil Administration as 'dual-use' (listed here under 1. ד). The Civil Administration processes requests for these goods and coordinates their transfer. Requests take up to 45 days in which a general security review is conducted. In the last 18 months, out of 177 requests for 'dual-use' imports:

128 were approved
19 were denied
30 are currently being processed

• Ever since the Second Intifada in 2000, the IDF has banned the use of explosives in Palestinian quarries. However, due to Civil Administration promotion of the quarry industry in the West Bank, the ban on the use of explosives in quarries was lifted in 2009 and today, regulations for transferring explosives in both Israeli and Palestinian quarries in the West Bank are identical. Since the ban was lifted, more than 200,000 kg of explosives were imported to Palestinian quarries. The transfer and use of these explosives is closely monitored by the Civil Administration to prevent potential misuse by terrorist organizations.

• All phone numbers, email addresses, and website URLs of the Civil Administration staff workers are freely available and provided in the Quarterly, in order to promote maximum accessibility." (source)

See more below.

(IDF) Pics: Largest Final Exercise In The History Of The IDF Doctors Course

"The Israeli Medical Corps held a final exercise for the largest field doctors course in the history of the IDF on Wednesday 27.10.10. As many as fifty new doctors will finish the military medical course next week and will be assigned to various IDF units on land, sea or air.

Those finishing the course will dispatched to individuals battalions, such that a doctor will be staffed to every battalion in the IDF.

Brig. Gen. Dr. Nachman Ash, Commander of the Medical Corps, tested the IDF’s doctors-to-be and congratulated the participants: 'These are doctors full of motivation, with a sparkle in their eyes. They are ready and willing to do their work. There is no doubt that from now on, with the manning of the positions in all field units, the medical response for soldiers will correspond to the need'." (source)

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(IDF) IDF Inaugurates First Green Base As Part Of “IDF Protects The Environment”

"The Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, announced the new plan, 'IDF Protects the Environment', to the sum of one billion NIS today, declaring the inauguration ceremony of the Officer Instruction Base as the first 'green base' in the IDF.

The ceremony will be held today with the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Commander of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Shlomo (Sami) Turjeman, Head of the Technology and Logistics Branch, Maj. Gen. Dan Biton, and Commander of the Officer Instruction Base, Col. Yehuda Fox in attendance. During the event, the Chief of the General Staff will unveil the 'Solar Farm Project', which includes 400 solar panels and which is expected to save up to 90,000 liters of solar fuel a year. Furthermore, the main points of the 'IDF Protects the Environment' plan will be presented, with an emphasis on energy conservation and long-lasting construction in the IDF. The new technological facilities which have been integrated into the Officer Instruction School will also be unveiled. These facilities were built in order to conserve water and electricity, and they include: volume-calculating systems, which save up to 25-35% of electricity, T5 fluorescent bulbs, which save up to 30% of electricity, and rationing water faucets, which save up to 20-50% of water.

The change in perspective which the IDF is currently undergoing, particularly within the Officer Instruction School, is part of the ongoing training process of the future generation of officers. This shift is an important milestone in the implementation of the 'IDF Protects the Environment' plan, which has been authorized by the Chief of the General Staff last week, to the sum of one billion NIS. The plan, which is being carried out under the guidance of the IDF’s Environmental Protection Administration, focuses on amending past environmental damage as well as preventing future harm. The IDF’s educational efforts and encouragement to protect the environment, for all military ranks, are necessary to promote environmental awareness in all of the Israeli Army’s decisions.' (source)

(IDF) "Juniper Falcon 11" Exercise Between The IDF & The US EUCOM Successfully Completed

The US and Israel concluded a several day-long command post simulation and training exercise called Juniper Falcon 11 on October 21st, 2010. Juniper Falcon 11 is part of a series of routinely conducted training exercises between the US and Israel that build partnership and which promote regional peace and stability. The exercise is part of a long standing agreement between the US and Israel to hold bilateral training exercises on a regular basis.

(IDF) Gaza Strip Civilian And Humanitarian Aid Monthly Report – September

"The Israeli Government, together with the IDF, coordinates the delivery of a variety of humanitarian aid and development assistance to the civilian population of the Gaza Strip. This report details the humanitarian measures taken during the month of September 2010, as well as general transfers of goods and services to the Strip.

3,427 truckloads of food, fuel, and other materials entered the Gaza Strip last month. Due to the September holidays, there was a 33% reduction in the volume of truckloads for the month of September, however, there was a 46% in the volume of heavy diesel fuel delivered to Gaza’s power plant. Various ongoing projects are being coordinated by the Israeli government, the Palestinian Authority, and international aid organization, including the completion of 151 UNRWA housing units this month. In addition, 46 truckloads of cement, iron and other building materials have been transferred for the purpose of the construction of a water treatment plant in northern Gaza. After an Israeli Cabinet decision in June 2010, the capacity of the Kerem Shalom Crossing was nearly doubled so that 250 truckloads could enter the Gaza Strip on a daily basis." (source)



Gaza Strip Civilian and Humanitarian Aid for the Month of September

(IDF) PICVID: IAF And Hellenic Air Force Conduct Combined Exercise In Greece

"This week, a combined training of the IAF and the Hellenic Air Force took place in Greece. This training included flight and landing in mountainous terrain and under changing weather conditions. The IAF aircrafts that took part in the exercise were Black Hawk (UH-60) helicopters from the 'Hatzerim' Air Force base and Apache (AH-64) helicopters from the 'Ramon' Air Force base. The aircrafts trained alongside Hellenic Air Force helicopters (Apache AH-64 and AS332 Super Puma) and combat jets.

The head of the Helicopter Air Division, Brig. Gen. David Barki, and the commanders of 'Ramon' and 'Hatzerim' IAF bases visited the training squadrons yesterday, and participated in both the training and the joint conclusion of the exercise, which included chief representatives from the Hellenic Air Force." (source)

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(IDF) PicVid: Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi Speaks At Joint Combat Exercise Demonstration

"A demonstration of the Joint Combat Exercise took place today, Tuesday October 12th, 2010, at the IDF base in Shizafon. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, and the Chief of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman, attended the event. Senior ground forces officers also participated in the demonstration.

The Joint Combat Exercise demonstration is a display of ground forces capabilities, in which Officers’ Training School cadets from the infantry, engineering, armored, and artillery corps perform exercises that combine various and diverse combat techniques. These included urban warfare, advancing through complex obstacles, using artillery support, and invasion techniques, along with aerial support from the Israel Air Force, which included medical evacuations and aerial re-supplies.

As part of implementing lessons learnt from operations in recent years, the ground forces are engaged in a process of improving interoperability cooperation. This process is incorporated throughout IDF training and in the development of combat doctrine and was demonstrated throughout today’s Joint Combat Exercise demonstration." (source)

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Extended Footage

(IDF) Pictures: German Military Chief Of Staff Visits “Yad Va-Shem” Holocaust Memorial Museum

"The German Military Chief of Staff, General Volker Wieker, toured the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum in Jerusalem earlier today. The IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, accompanied General Weiker on his tour, which included visiting Yad Va-Shem, the Hall of Names and the museums’ child commemoration wing, Yad La-Yeled.

Later, General Wieker and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi placed a wreath to commemorate those killed in the Holocaust in a ceremony that took place in the Hall of Remembrance.

Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi concluded: 'I am pleased to stand here today, as the Israeli Chief of the General Staff, next to the commander of the German military, who is visiting Israel for the first time. This visit expresses the special relationship between the IDF and the German military. General Wieker is starting his three day visit in Israel which I am sure will be interesting, professional and productive.'" (source)

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(IDF) Merkava Mark 4 With “Trophy” Active Tank Defense System To Be Used In Joint Combat Exercise Demonstration For First Time

"A demonstration of the Joint Combat Exercise will take place today, Tuesday, October 12th, at the IDF base of Shizafon. The event will be in the presence of the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz, and the Chief of the Ground Forces, Maj. Gen. Sami Turgeman. Senior ground forces officers will also participate in the joint combat demonstration.



The Joint Combat Exercise summarizes the training of ground force officer cadets and its objective is to implement the collaboration between the different branches and corps. Tomorrow’s demonstration will display the ground forces’ abilities, in which Officers’ Training School cadets from the infantry, engineering, armored, and artillery corps perform drills that combine various diverse combat techniques. These include urban warfare, advancing through complex obstacles, using artillery support, and employing invasion techniques, along with aerial support of the Israel Air Force, including medical evacuations and aerial re-supplies.

This demonstration will commence the Joint Combat Exercise that continues for ten days. The demonstration includes live fire and presents the interoperability of the ground and air forces by displaying a combined battalion fighting in different operational settings.

This will be the first joint combat demonstration in which the Merkava Tank Mark 4 and the 'Trophy' (Meil Ruach) active tank defense system will be presented. The Meil Ruach system is a new defense system against anti-tank missiles and will be demonstrated by firing a dummy missile at the tank." (source)