Operation Litani 1982 Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict First Intifada Second Intifada Operation Orchard 2014 Gaza War Israel–Hamas war
Insignia
Emblem Unit
Military unit
Unit 5101, more commonly known as Shaldag[1] (Hebrew: שלדג, Kingfisher), is one of the premier Israeli Air Force (IAF) Sayeret units. The unit is part of the 7th Special Air Forces Wing and is based in the Palmachim Airbase. The unit is led by an officer at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[2]
It specializes in clandestine operation, combat search and rescue, commando style raids, hostage rescue, irregular warfare, long-range penetration, military intelligence operations, special operations, and special reconnaissance within enemy territory.[3][4]
History
Shaldag was founded in 1974, in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, by Muki Betser, a Sayeret Matkal veteran who brought several Matkal veterans with him. Initially operating as a Sayeret Matkal reserve company, it was eventually transferred to the IAF.[5][6]
Shaldag's mission is to deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to conduct special reconnaissance, establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control and commando actions. Shaldag operates from Palmachim Airbase.[5] Its soldiers carry M16 or M4A1 assault rifles fitted with the M203 grenade launcher. For special missions, they carry Glock 17 and 19 9×19mm series pistols and Mauser SR 82/66 sniper rifles.[7]
Recruitment and training
In order to be considered for service in the unit, candidates must have a medical profile between 82-97. Candidates who pass the initial commando units day selection, undergo a 5-day commando selection trial for Sayeret Matkal / Shaldag / Unit 669. Candidates who are accepted are enlisted in the November draft. Medics in the unit are drafted in August.
Shaldag Unit operators undergo the longest training phase of any unit in the IDF, lasting 22 months, and training has a heavy emphasis on navigation. Training consists of phases, with navigation exercises between each phase, designed to provide extensive navigation experience while alleviating intense physical tension from long forced marches with heavy weights. The phases are:[8]
Six months of basic and advanced infantry training.
Shaldag Unit exerciseParachuting course at the IDF's parachuting school.
Counter-terrorism course at the IDF's counter-terrorism school.
All-weather and all-terrain navigation exercises.
Air-to-ground cooperation and airborne operations.
Intelligence gathering, communication and reconnaissance training.
Specialized training for those with designated roles such as medics and snipers.
Two-week course in enduring enemy captivity, including being subjected to a surprise mock kidnapping, held in prison-like conditions, and subjected to threats, interrogation, physical violence and humiliation.
Unit members who finish their training are required to sign on for 24 months of career services, in addition to their mandatory service of 2 years and 8 months.[9]
Unit pin and emblem
Shaldag Unit
The unit's warrior pin and the unit's insignia were created in 1987 while Avihu Ben-Nun was the IAF commander. The warrior pin includes a kingfisher, wings, and a star of David. The unit's name apparently originates from a quote by David Stirling, founder of the British SAS, who said his unit will come down on an enemy like a kingfisher comes down on its prey.[2]
Known operations
Shaldag carried out several missions during Operation Litani of 1978. One of its last missions was reconnaissance near Hasbaya. The unit crossed into enemy territory, came under fire, and a team commander lost his leg to a landmine. The company commander managed to retreat without further casualties or the loss of equipment.[6] It took part in the 1982 Lebanon War, and assisted in Operation Mole Cricket 19.[8]
During the 1982–2000 South Lebanon conflict, Shaldag took part in operations Accountability and Grapes of Wrath. It proved particularly valuable during the latter, when it helped quickly pinpoint Hezbollah rocket squads in time for the Israeli Air Force to take them out.[8] It received the Chief of Staff Citation for its conduct in that operation.[6] It also participated in the Second Intifada, and is known to have been responsible for the assassination of Yussef Abu Sway, a Palestinian militant who had taken part in shooting attacks against Israelis.[10] During the 2006 Lebanon War, Shaldag took part in Operation Sharp and Smooth, the August 1 raid on Baalbek. Delivered by helicopters near Baalbek at 01:00, its troops proceeded north to the Sheik Habib neighborhood in order to arrest suspected Hezbollah operatives. En route, they encountered four Hezbollah fighters and killed them. A total of 19 Hezbollah fighters were killed, with no Israeli fatalities.[11][12]
In 2007 Shaldag was also reportedly involved in Operation Orchard, the destruction of a Syrian nuclear reactor. The unit is reported to have infiltrated an underground depot near the Syrian site suspected of being a nuclear reactor, in order to designate the target for the incoming Israeli fighters that destroyed it.[13]
During the 2014 Gaza War, Shaldag operatives assisted in uncovering Hamas tunnels, and provided support for IDF units operating during fighting in Gaza. Notably, a Shaldag sniper team supported Nahal Brigade infantry forces in the northern Gaza Strip.[14]
According to the Israeli Air Force's official twitter, Shaldag is actively involved in the Israel–Hamas war.[15]
During the Be'eri massacre twelve Shaldag airmen were airlifted by helicopter into Kibbutz Be'eri. The Israeli military was not able to send any more reinforcements to Kibbutz Be'eri for 12 more hours. 5 members of the unit were killed and one injured.[16][17]
^Rees, Matt (7 January 2001). "The Work of Assassins". Time.
^Katz, Yaakov (2006-08-13). "Israeli commando missions come out of shadows". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-12-07.
^Harel, Amos; Zafrir Rinat; Yoav Stern (2006-08-03). סיירת מטכ"ל ושלדג הרגו עשרה אנשי חיזבאללה בבקעת הלבנון [Sayeret Matkal and Shaldag killed ten Hezbollah men in the Beqaa Valley]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2009-03-11.
^Katz, Yaakov; Sheera Claire Frenkel (2007-09-17). "Head of IDF intelligence: Israeli deterrence restored". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2014-08-22.
^"Open Mind & Out-of-the-Box Thinking". 19 August 2015.
^IAFsite (9 October 2023). "With the outbreak of the "Swords of Iron" War, combatants of the Israeli Air Force's Shaldag unit were dispatched to the combat zones and fought valiantly, with the assistance of additional forces, to help rescue the residents from the hands of the terrorist squads". twitter.com.
Israel
Israeli Air Force
