Paratroopers hold a brigade training exercise starting off with an operational brigade jump and immediately continuing with a live-fire drill, for the first time in 15 years
Date: 18/01/2012, 5:08 PM
Author: Rotem Eliav
A trail of equidistant shadows fills the star studded sky as aircraft after aircraft tears through the frigid night. Gracefully making their way to the sandy dunes the shadows take the shape of parachutes, each carrying one of over 1,000 IDF paratroopers prepared to make history in the first parachuted brigade training exercise in fifteen years.
"While in the air and right before you hit the ground you don't feel the cold, only adrenaline," said Sgt. Bar Lynn, a paratrooper of the 202 Battalion. "This is a true operational jump," he explained.
"The jump was incredible," said Sgt. Gal Harari of the paratroopers' Reconnaissance Battalion still catching his breath and after getting off the phone telling his mother he is safely on land.
Lt. Assaf Ben-Ari, Platoon Commander, assured IDF Website this was only the beginning:
Once on land, the soldiers immediately spring into a dynamic battle field, using night vision equipment and the constellations overhead to navigate to their respective battalions. Still carrying 60 kilograms of equipment, the soldiers prepare for a march and a live-fire training exercise ambushing hills and taking over targets.
"At the door of the plane, the paratrooper stands alone. Though down on the ground the entire brigade comes together and prepares for an attack," said Brigade Commander, Col. Amir Baram who jumped alongside his soldiers.
"Each soldier is motivated, strong and brave," he continued. "This is an extremely complicated operation testing the IDF paratroopers' unique capability to take advantage of operational opportunities and bring an entire brigade deep into enemy territory with all its equipment, soldiers and commanders prepared for battle." The soldiers were prepared for the challenge both mentally and physically.
Col. Baram explained that such an exercise has not taken place in over a decade, since conflict first emerged in Judea and Samaria in the late 90's, and stressed the importance of returning this capability to the IDF's arsenal.
"They're fulfilling their purpose as paratroopers," said Deputy Battalion Commander. "An operational jump is very different than jump school, especially since no other unit is capable of it."
"Jumping as a brigade is completely different," said Lt. Ben -Ari. "The entire brigade stands prepared and the aircraft are lined up. It's very unusual for an entire brigade to jump together though the exercise is very well organized in splitting up the forces, securing the field and directing everybody. Jumping with so many people is an absolutely incredible feeling."