Unit 669

Unit 669
Active 1974-Present
Country Israel Israel
Branch Israeli Air Force
Type Airborne Search and Rescue
Role Combat search and rescue, MEDEVAC

669 (Hebrew: יחידת החילוץ והפינוי בהיטס 669‎,Yechidat Hilu'z Vehapinu'i Behethes 669; English: Airborne Rescue And Evacuation Unit 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,[1] and is coed and multi-ethnic.[2]

History

Unit 669 heliborne MEDEVAC display during IAF cadet graduation ceremony.

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.

Training

Due to the possibility of having to fight their way to casualties beyond enemy lines, unit soldiers are highly trained in special forces 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.

Component

669 operative in cliff rescue display

The unit is composed of three flights:

Symbol

The Unit's logo is a winged, slinking, green-eyed, black cat. The Unit's warriors are subsequently sometimes referred to as "Cats" or "Flying Cats".

Nonmilitary activity

Domestic

During peacetime, the unit often helps rescue civilians injured during various catastrophic incidents. The unit has also served as a civilian medevac for hikers who have gotten lost or stuck and need extraction from Israel's deserts or canyons. These civilian operations, while expensive, help train the unit fighters for their wartime roles. There is an ongoing debate whether extracted hikers should be forced to pay at least part of the extraction cost, especially in cases of hiker negligence or improper call for extraction. However, as of 2009 no such measures have been taken. The unit's recruits also patrol agricultural areas for illegal animal traps.[4]

Foreign

Unit 669 soldiers, including reservists, were among the IDF personnel sent to Nepal in late April 2015 to take part in search and rescue efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake and subsequent avalanches.[5]

Notable figures

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Israeli Air Force Special Units" (Press release). Asia Times. 2004-12-10.
  2. ↑ "First female Arab soldier joins elite unit" (Press release). Yediot Aharonot. 2008-04-04.
  3. ↑ "Woman & Special Forces" (Press release). Jewish Virtual Library. 2008-05-26.
  4. ↑ Sarusi, Neta; Vinter, Yarden (July 24, 2009). "The Cat goes for a Hunt". Bamahane (in Hebrew) (2998).
  5. ↑ "200 Israeli soldiers dispatched to Nepal". The Matzav Network (matzav.com). 26 April 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2015.

External links