The First Female Battalion Commander in the IDF Air Defense Corps

As of the 24 of August, Lt. Col. Revital Barzani entered her new position as Commanding Officer of the 66th Battalion in the Air Defense Corps. The exciting change of command was led by the Commanding Officer of the Air Defense Corps, Brig. Gen. Gilad Biran.

‎‏Lt. Col. Barzani will be the first woman to serve in the position. She replaces the outgoing Commanding Officer of the 66th Battalion, Lt. Col. Yoav Bigger.

‎‏Lt. Col. Revital Barzani enlisted in the IAF Air Defense Corps in 2004 as a “Hawk” weapons system operator. Throughout her service, Lt. Col. Barzani served in a number of positions, among them as a “Hawk” battery Commander, an Iron Dome battery Commander during Operation “Pillar of Defense” and Operation “Protective Edge”, and Head of the “David’s Sling” Defense System Desk in the IAF's Training and Doctrine Division. Moreover, Lt. Col Barzani served as Deputy Commanding Officer of the 66th Battalion. In her last position, Lt. Col. Barzani served as the Commanding Officer of the A3 Squadron in the Air Defense Corps HQ.

Lt. Col. Barzani is married and a mother of three.

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The 66th Battalion is a combat battalion in the Air Defense Corps and was host to the first self-propelled anti-aircraft battalion in the IAF.
‎‏The battalion has downed 11 enemy aircraft and holds the IAF record for downing enemy aircraft from the ground.
‎‏Today, the battalion is part of the Air Defense Corps and operates the “David’s Sling” Defense System, as well as the Ballistic Picture Management Center in the IDF.

‎Commanding Officer of the 66th Battalion, Lt. Col. Revital Barzani:
‎‏“It is a great privilege for me to take command of the 66th Battalion, a battalion with a diverse history which plays a significant role in defending the skies of the country. This is a one-of-a-kind battalion, tasked with operating the ‘David’s Sling’ Defense System and in charge of coordinating alerts for the Israeli home front. Through the experience and knowledge I have gained over the years, I enter a position in which I hold professional and operational influence as well as a substantial responsibility. I reached where I am today thanks to this professional force with valuable and skilled commanders, as well as exceptional soldiers who make every effort to defend the skies of the State of Israel.”

‎‏“Hundreds of officers, both men and women, serve together in the Air Defense Corps. For many years, this force has been leading the integration of women in core positions. Over the past two years, the Air Defense Corps has also been leading the ‘Aiming High’ program, designed to utilize the command potential of our personnel in high-level positions, also among women.”