Paratroopers Brigade
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The Paratroopers Brigade חטיבת הצנחנים is a unit of paratroopers within the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). It has a history of carrying out special forces-style missions dating back to the 1950s. It is currently involved primarily in counter terror operations within the West Bank.
The brigade was created at the mid 1950's when the contraversial deep commando Unit 101 was merged with Battalion 890 in order to form an elite infantry brigade. The new unit was equipped with the IMI Uzi submachine gun as their primary weapon as it provided light and small automatic fire frame - essential properties for recon units and commandos.
The goals in creating the Paratroopers brigade were:
- To have an elite infantry force.
- To innovate and improve fighting skills within other infantry units.
- To raise the next generation of military commanders and officers.
The first commander of the Paratroopers Brigade was Ariel Sharon.
The Paratroopers Brigade had only one operational combat parachute drop. It was during 1956 Sinai War. In the Six Day War (1967) the Paratroopers Brigade took part in the capturing of Jerusalem together with the Jerusalem Brigade, Harel Brigade and armor support. The Paratroopers were the ones to capture the Wailing Wall and the Temple Mount - a moment that is considered as "historic" and the "highlight of this war" by the majority of the Israeli public, mainly due to the sacredness of these places to the Jewish people.
In the following years, the brigade was the source for many Israeli Chiefs of Staff, including Shaul Mofaz and Moshe Ya'alon. The Paratroopers Brigade is distinguished by uniform including a red beret and red boots.
The brigade consists of three fighting battalions numbered 101, 202, and 890. They carry the names of venomous snakes. Four additional very highly trained companies are under the direct command of the brigade headquarters. These companies deal with special forces, anti-tank warfare, engineering, and signals. Serving as a warrior in the brigade is voluntary and requires passing different physical and mental tests.
The IDF has three reservist Paratrooper brigades at any given time, consisting of personnel who served their mandatory service in the brigade, mostly in their 20's (aside from officers). These are most likely the most highly-trained reservist brigades in the IDF.