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Throughout the disastrous Carmel fire, Lt. Col. Hatim Huseisi,

EngineeringCorpsofficerandlife-longresidentofnorthernIsrael,

foundhimselffightingnotjustbecauseitwasthearmy'smission

butbecausethemissionwasoverhishome.READ MORE

Operations Room

Pictures of the Month

Personal Meeting

Challenges of the Moment

IDF Events

ArstNBC(NuclearBiologicalandChemical)battalionhasbeensetupintheIDF.Thenewbattalionwillhandleallmattersrelatedwithdefensivemeasurestobetakenagainstunconventionalwarfare.Thesettingupofthisbattalionhappens inan erawhenUnconventionalWarfareispartofthedailynarrative,andtheacuteimportancetheIDFattachestothisissue. READMORE

ThecommandersoftheIDFNBCHeadquartersbelieveitisabsolutelycriticaltobecapableofhandlingtheNuclear,BiologicalandChemicalthreats,especiallyinacountrycircledbyenemieswiththecapacitytodeploysuchweapons.READMORE

TheChiefofStaff,LieutenantGeneralGabiAshkenazisumsupthestateoftheIsraelGazaBorderasverydelicateWearewitnessinglatelyasharp riseinthenumberofexplosivesdeployedanddetonatedon theborder.READ MORE

Oncemore,whenthecallforaidisthere,distanceofnoconsequence!TheIDFhassentaHumanitariandelegationtoweatherstrickenColombia,including50tonsofequipmentofwhich20tonsofdriedfoods,thousandsofblankets,100tents,and5,000medicalkits.READ MORE

Preliminary investigation asseses that an IDF soldier was moderatelywoundedprobablyfromfriendlyre,asaresultofyetanotherattemptatviolatingtheborderbetweenGazaandIsrael.Thiswasoneofover100suchviolenteventsthathavetakenplaceduring2010.READ MORE

MotivationandRecruitmenttrendsin2010 TheIDFhasseenanimpressiveriseinthemotivationtojoincombatunits over the past 2 years. The recent November 2010 callupcontinues to indicate this encouraging trend, mostly the result ofeffectivepreparationprogramstowardsenlisting,aswellasparticularprogramsfor youth.At 2010theMotivation Index standsat74.2%ofenlistedyouth,ariseof8%.TheIDFcontinuesitsprogramsforencouraging enlisting among communities with particular needs,andwearewitnessing an increaseamongOlim(NewImmigrants),Haredim(UltraReligious)andMinorities.READ MORE

The Lone Soldier Center celebrated Americas Thanksgivingholiday with dozens ofAmerican lone soldiers.With turkey, afootballgameandpie,itseemedasthoughforonenightAmericacametoTelAviv.READMORE

The Head of the Civil Administration in Judea and Samariahas visited the Headsof thevariousChurchesin Jerusalem tobring them Seasons Greetings for the forthcoming Christmascelebrations..READMORE

The result of a mere phone call! One Nahal Brigade(CombatPioneering Youth)Commander calls his peer, another NahalBrigade Commander - the result - 800 Volunteer soldiers aredeployedalmostinstantlyontheburningCarmelMountainrangeduringtherecentdeadlyblazethatenvelopedthisspecialpieceofIsraelilandscape!READMORE

AjointairdrilloftheItalianandIsraeliAirForceshastakenplacerecentlyinIsrael.ItalianTornadojetsalongsideIsraeliaircraftoftheFlyiangDragonsquadron,gatheredattheOuvdaAirBaseandtookpartinjointtrainingights.READMORE

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"The Gaza Strip border is delicate"

Lt.Gen.GabiAshkenazispokewithsoldiersfromtheParatroopers'Brigadeandestimatedthat,

"Conictaroundthefencewillcontinueandwemustbepreparedbecausethatswhatwillultimately

decidetheoutcomeofthebattle".

TheChiefoftheGeneralStaff,Lt.Gen.Gabi

Ashkenazi, spoke to soldiers of the Tzefa

battalionoftheParatroopersBrigadeDec.8.

AccordingtotheChiefofStaff,"ThecurrentstateoftheGazaStripborderisdelicate.We

areseeingacutedeteriorationinsecurityand

manyexplosivedeviceshavebeendiscovered

at the border. Anti-Israel activity has been

increasingonthenorthernborderaswell."

Lt.Gen.Ashkenazisaidmoreoperationsnear

theborderwouldtakeplaceinthenearfuture.

"Therewillbemoreproblems,itsinevitable.Conictaroundthefencewillcontinueandwemust

bepreparedbecausethatswhatwillultimatelydecidetheoutcomeofthebattle.Wemightbeforcedtooperateonawiderscale.Thenextroundofghtingwillbebiggerandthewinnermust

beirrefutable.Wemustsignicantlyovercometheenemy."

JustonNov.29,suspectsopenedretowardIDFforcesnearthefenceatthecentralGazaStrip.

TherewerenoinjuriesontheIDFside,butsomedamagewasdonetoanarmoredvehicle.A

weekearlier,IDFforcesshottowardseveralsuspectswhoapproachedthefenceinthenorthern

GazaStripafterthelatterrefusedtodisperse.Thesoldierswereforcedtoshootatthesuspects

lowerbodiesandahitwasidentied.

Afewweeksago,theIDFcarriedoutwarningshotsatsuspectsapproachingthefenceinthenorthernGazaStrip.Theforcesarrivedatthesceneinordertodispersethesuspects,andafter

theyrefusedtovacateIDFforceswereforcedtoshootattheirlowerbodies.Again,adirecthit

wasidentied.

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The IDF Sends Humanitarian Aid Delegation to Colombia

TheIDFandtheIsraelMinistryofDefensesentahumanitarianaiddelegationtoprovidemedical

careandservicestovictimsofoodsandmudslidesinColombia.

OnDec.12,theIDFandtheIsraelMinistryof

Defensesentahumanitarianaiddelegationto

providemedicalcareandservicestovictims

ofthe intenseoodsandmudslideshavingrecently struckColombia.As ofDec. 11, it

wasestimatedthatasmanyas50houses

wereburiedinthemudslideandasmanyas

40peopletrappedinside.

Thedelegationincludessevenofcersfrom

the Home Front Command and carries

approximately50tonsofequipmentincluding

20tonsofdryfood,vethousandmedicalkits,twothousandblankets,onethousandponchos,

onethousandmattressesandonehundredtents.

AccordingtoCommanderofHomeFrontCommand'sNationalSearchandRescueUnit,Brig.Gen.

(res.)ShalomBen-Arye,"TheIDFinstructedtheHomeFrontCommandtosendahumanitarian

aiddelegationtotheColombianoodvictims.WearetolandinColombia,distributetheaid

equipmentandreturnonlyonceourmissioniscomplete."

DeputyGeneralManageroftheMinistryofDefense,Mr.BezalelTreibersaid,"Overthepasttwo

daysweverapidlyassemblednecessitiesofapproximately50tonsofequipment.Thedelegation

willnowsetoutforColombia.Iwishtothankthedelegationstaff,theHomeFrontCommandandtheMinistryofDefenseandwishthemluckontheirmission."

ThelastbigIDFaidmissionwassenttoHaitiwhenamagnitude7.0earthquakeontheRichter

scalestruckthecountryinearly2010.Israelwasamongthersttoofferassistanceandtherst

countrytoestablishaeldhospitalwithoperatinganddeliveryrooms.Altogether,asmanyas

1,200patientsweretreatedby220personnelmembers.

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IDF Soldier Moderately Wounded in Gaza Strip Incident

AnIDFsoldierwaswoundedinanexchangeofrenearthesecurityfenceatthecentral

GazaStrip.Oneofapproximately100terror-relatedincidentsin2010.

AnIDFsoldierwasmoderatelywounded

duringanexchangeofrenearthesecurity

fenceinthecentralGazaStrip.Thesoldier

wasevacuatedbyhelicoptertoahospitalforfurthertreatment.

Terrorist operatives often hover near the

security fence in attempt to harm IDF

soldiers, leavingexplosive devices in the

area,shootingatsoldiers,etc.

EarlieronSaturdayevening(Dec.11),IDFsoldiersidentiedtwosuspectsnearthesecurity

fenceinthecentralGazaStrip.Theforceredtowardthesuspectswhowerekilledasaresult.Duringlatersearchesatthescene,shotswereredattheforce,apparentlyresulting

intheinjuryofoneofthesoldiers.Anadditionalreexchangetookplaceintheareaashort

timelaterbutresultedinnocasualtiesorinjuriesamongIDFsoldiers.Theincidentiscurrently

beinginvestigated.

Approximately 100 terror-related incidents have taken place near the security fence

surroundingtheGazaStripsincethebeginningof2010,anaverageofoneincidentevery

threedays.

TheIDFholdstheHamasterroristorganizationsolelyresponsibleformaintainingthecalm

intheGazaStripandforanyterroristactivityemanatingfromit.TheIDFwillalsocontinue

torespondharshlytoanyattempttouseterroragainsttheStateofIsrael.

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"This was Fighting for Our Home"

ThroughoutthedisastrousCarmelre,Lt.Col.HatimHuseisi,EngineeringCorpsofcerandlife-

longresidentofnorthernIsrael,foundhimselfghtingnotjustbecauseitwasthearmy'smission

butbecausethemissionwasoverhishome.

Lt.Col.HitamHuseisiisaveteranofcerintheIDFsCentral

Command(responsibleforthecentralregionofthecountry

including the Judea and Samaria region), and a veteran

residentoftheNorth.AnofcerfromDaliyatal-Karmel,hesbeenpartoftheEngineeringCorpsoftheJudeaandSamaria

Divisionforthepast14years,todaybeingoneoftheCorps

headsinthedivision.DuringthedisastrousCarmelre,his

positionandpersonallifemerged.Insteadofcommanding

the EngineeringCorps operational activities in the Judea

andSamariaregion,hebroughttheCorpsgiantmachinery,

whichfoughttheames,closetohome.

Whenherstgotthemessageaboutthere,hewasinthecenterofthecountryasusual.The

familywashomeasusual.Iwasinameeting,andIgotatextthatthereisareintheCarmel.Ithought,anotherre,nothingspecial.Inishedthemeetingandstarteddrivingnorth.AsIdroveI

realizedthatthesituationwasmuchworse.

BythetimehereachedtheCarmel,thewaytothevillagewasalreadyblockedoff.So,instead,he

drovetotheUniversityofHaifatomeetwithreghters.Atthatpointnocontrolunitororganization

hadevenbegun.Westartedassemblingthemaincontrolroom.Halfanhourlatereveryonewas

alreadythere-thePrimeMinister,Ministers.Thesituationdidnotlookgood.Wegotthemessage

aboutthosekilledonthebus.Wesatandthoughtaboutwhatwecoulddo.Therewasanoverriding

feelingofuncertainty.Atacertainpoint,IunderstoodsalvationwouldnotcomefromthismeetingintheHomeFront.Iwentouttoeldwithmycar.

Whenhearrived,Wewentouttoseewhatitlookedlikewithourowneyes.Whatscalledbeing

atthefrontline.Whatwesawwasa realthreattopeoplessafety.Westopped.Iaskedwhothe

commanderwasinthearea.TheysaidXandIaskedhimwhatdoyouneed?Wewerefamiliarwith

theheavyequipmentheneededandwestartedworking.

Fighting the Carmel battle

TheEngineeringCorpsforcesfromCentralCommandwerethemainonesoneld,butnottheonlyones.Alongwiththemwereheavy(construction)equipmentcompanies,Battalion601ofthe

EngineeringCorpsandEngineeringCorpsofcersoftheNorthernCommandjoinedtheeffortas

well.

Theyworkedwithus,commandedwithus,saidLt.Col.Huseisi.TheEngineeringforcesand

Engineeringheadquartersofthecommandsworkedhandinhand.Oneofthebeautifulthingsin

theCorpsisthateveryoneknowseveryone.Sometimespeoplemeetatconferences,sometimes

atwarsandsometimesatres.Eachtimeyoutalkwiththeothersandlearnexactlywhotheyare,

whattheirbackgroundisandwhattheirabilitiesare.Wehaveacommonlanguageandeveryone

knowswhatispossibleandappropriate.

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Lt.Col.HuseisisaysthatintheCarmeldisaster,Wecamewiththeattitudethatweareallreghters.

Theysaidwhattheywantedandweplannedoutthehow.Wetrustedthem.Weunderstoodthatthey

knewwhatwastherightthingtodotostopthere.Imetimpressivepeoplethere.Theretrucksdid

amazingworkwithoutthinkingtwice.Theyriskedtheirlivesineverysenseoftheword.Noonedeserted

theareauntiltherewasnootheroption.

Saving wild-life, saving themselves

TheEngineeringforceshadthreemainmissions.Therstmissionwastoopenpathways.Everyplacetheretruckscouldntpassthrough,wepavedtheway.Oursecondmissionwastocreatewhatwas

calledrelines.Thatwascriticalactivity,arstactwecutdowntreesatstrategicpointsintheforest

topreventthespreadofre.Thenalmission,duringtimesofemergency,wastostopthere.Howdid

wedothis?Wegotrightinwiththemachinery.

Theforcesworkedin thewild-lifereserves,theCarmelForestResort,rightnexttoNirEtzionandEin

Hod,Megadim,UsseyaandDahlia.NineCaterpillarD9tractorsandveloaders(sometimesusedin

construction)coveredmostofthehill.Twoofthemainbattles,accordingtoLt.Col.Huseisi,wereover

thewild-lifereserveandtheCarmelforests.

Whenwefoughtoverthewild-lifereservesthewindcomefromtheWestandtherespreadtoward

theuniversity.Atacertainpointtheretrucksranoutofwater.Theydidnthaveachoicebuttoleave

altogethertolluptheircontainersandgetmorebackup.Weunderstoodwewerealone.Wereached

acleardecisionwehavetoputoutthere,nomatterwhat.Weuprootedtreesandearth,wewent

directlyintothere.Intheearlyhoursofthemorningwewereabletocreateabarrier.Therestopped.

Withthesunriseplanesarrivedandsucceededinputtingitoutontheotherside.

IntheCarmelforestsweuprootedallthetreeswithina200-meterradiusandcreatedaring.There,the

restartedclosinginonus.Thewaywecamefromwasblockedoff.Speakingwiththeheadquarterswecoordinatedplanesthatwouldtrytostopthere.Theyarrivedandtriedtohelp,butitwasclearthe

rewastoostrong.Sowebarelymadeitoutthrougharoutethatwasntreallyaroute,itwasanescape

route.Wewerealmostmadetoleavetheequipmentbehind.Lookingback,itwasworththerisk.Thering

savedthehotel.

"This was ghting for our home"

Lt.Col.HuseisiwasbornandraisedinDaliyatal-Karmel(northernIsrael).Hiswifewasbornandraised

inUsseya(northernIsrael).Weconsideredleavingmorethanonce,headmits.Mostofourlivesour

friendslivedinthecenterofthecountry,andoutingswereinthecenterofthecountryandworkwasinthecenterofthecountry.ThecommandwasCentralCommand.Buttheculturethatgetssoakedinhere

isours.Thepastoralnatureofthearea,theair,thesitesthesewerethingswewerentwillingtogive

upon.

Thus,inthedaysofthere,despitecommunitiesofpeoplefromtheNorthevacuatingtheirhouses,his

andherfamiliesstayedhome."AsfarasI'mconcerned,"hesaysdecisively,"Thiswasghtingforour

home.Inthearmytheyteachusthatwhenyouareonamission,youdon'tthinkaboutanythingother

thanthemissionandthat'showIthoughtallthoseyears.Butwhenyou'reonamissionfromthearmy

andyouseeyourhouseatthebattlefront,it'sinevitablethatthefeelingisdifferent."

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Induction Trends and Motivation in 2010

An 8% growth in the motivation to serve in combat roles amongst inductees

During the last2yearsa signicant increasewas recorded inthemotivation toserve in

combatroles.TherecruitmentcohortofNovember2010thatrecentlyconcluded,represents

acontinuationofthistrend.

Overtheyears2007--2008theproportionofthoseseekingtoserveincombatrolestotaled

66-67%outofthepotentialreservoir,whencurrentlyin2010 the motivation index totals

the rate of 74.2% (a rise of about 8%).

Thistrendcanbeattributedtoa longseriesofactivitiesperformedbyvariousbodiesand

insundryareas.Interaliawe can note programs for preparing inductees and activities

amongst adolescentsincollaborationwitheducationalbodiessuchasworkshopsinthe

schools,theDerech Erechproject,ADayintheFootstepsoftheFighters,activitiestofoster

tieswiththoseslatedforservicethatareperformedbythecombatforces,expandingthe

Gadnaparamilitaryyouthcorpsandfocusingonencouragingmeaningfulservicewaywithan

emphasisonthecombatprofessions.Allthisresultedinforgingacontinuousandaccessible

connectionwith theinductee, increasinghisinvolvement intheclassicationprocessand

raisinghisreadinessforIDFservice.Asaresultonecandistinguishatrendofincreasedmotivationamongstinducteestoserveincombatroles.

IntherecentNovemberinduction,allthoseintendedforcombatroleswereassigned(100%)tooneoftheirrstthreepreferences--thisincontradistinctiontoarateofonly82%inthe

March2009 induction. Furthermore,72.5%of thoseassignedwere assigned to therst

preferencethattheymarkedonthepreferencequestionnaire.

Stimulating Recruitment -- Promoting and Integrating Diverse Populations

The IDF continues to promote programs for stimulating recruitment amongst diverse

populations,giventhenaturaldeclineinannualinductioncohorts,andendeavorstofullytap

thoseenlistingformeaningfulservice.

Desire for combat out of available potential (2003-2010)

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Integrating the Haredim (Ultraorthodox) in the IDF

AspartofajointprogramoftheIDFandthegovernmentministriesintendedtoenlargeand

expandIDFrecruitmentreservoirsandfacilitatetheintegrationoftheHaredimintheIsraeli

economy,2majorprogramsareoperatingtointegratetheHaredimintotheIDF.

ThereistheShahar(HarediIntegration)frameworkandrecruitmenttotheHarediNezach

YehudaNahal Brigade.These programs guarantee the inductees that alongside their

military service and contribution to the state's security they will be able to maintain the

distinct lifestyle for the Haredi soldier during their military service.From2007therehas

beenagrowth of 285%inrecruitmentfortheHarediIntegrationprogramandadditionallywe

canwitnessariseof21%inrecruitmenttotheHarediNahalBrigade.

The Integration of New Immigrants in the IDF

Theintegrationofimmigrantsisanissueofmajor importance for their acclimatization in

Israel their attraction to Israeli culture and for enhancing the strength of the IDF from

a numerical and qualitative standpoint.OvertheyearstheIDFhasabsorbedmanyofthe

newimmigrantsintoitsranks,integratedthemintothevariousunits,workedtoimpartthe

HebrewlanguagesinthemilitaryHebrewlanguagetotalimmersionschoolsandincreased

theirfamiliaritywithIsraelistateandsociety,whileteachingJewishandIsraelitraditionand

history.

The IDF investment in integrating the new immigrant population, together with their

high personal level and commitment, led to their successful absorption in the various

units and jobs in the IDF.Withthepassageofyears,wewitnessever-increasingexamples

ofnewimmigrantsuccessinmilitaryservice,withasignicantincreaseintheinductionrates

amongstthispopulation.Currently one out of every 5 IDF soldiers is dened as a new

immigrant(inotherwordsbornoutsideofIsrael).

Betweentheyears20072009 a 35% increaseoccurredinthoseenlistingfortheMahal

Program(volunteersfromoutsideIsrael),anda rise of 53%inrecruitmenttotheprograms

oftheZabarNucleusthatfosterstherecruitmentofAmericannewimmigrants

Integrating Minorities within the IDF

TheIDFinvestsmanyeffortsandresourcestoprovideauniqueresponsetothevarious

minoritypopulations.ItisimportanttonotethatmembersoftheDruzecommunityandthe

Circassiancommunityarelegallydrafteligiblesince1956.Theinductionrateformembersof

theDruzecommunitytotals82.5%andamongsttheDruzeinductees,57%serveincombat

roles.

Amongstthevolunteerminorities--theBedouins,MuslimsandChristians--aclearupward

trendisdiscernible.From2007to2009therewasan increase of 117%inthenumberof

minoritysoldiersvolunteeringtotheIDF,whoservedinallrolesintheIDF.

The IDF continues tocontend for everysingle inductee inorder to fully tap the service

potential,exploitmanpowerandexpandrecruitmentreservoirs.Thisisasecuritynecessity,

butitalsorestsupontheconceptoftheIDFasapopulararmymandatinganequalshareof

thesecurityburden.

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The IDFs First Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Battalion

TheIDFinaugurateditsrstNBC(nuclear,biological,chemical)battaliononTuesday(Dec.

12)inaneranuclearwarfareismakingweeklyheadlines.

TheIDFs rstNBC(nuclear, biological,

chemical)DefenseBattalionwasofcially

established onTuesday (Dec. 12). The

battalionwascreatedoutoftheprevious

"Yanshuf"unit,whichspecializedinNBCwarfare and has been around formany

years.Itwillnowbeofciallyrecognized

asaregularcombatbattalion.

The battalions inauguration ceremony

took place during the course of its rst

regimenteddrill,whichtookplacetheweek

ofTuesday(Dec.12).Aspartofthedrill,companiespracticedndingchemicalsubstancesin

bothurbanandruralarea,evenworkingwitheliteunitfromtheCombatEngineeringCorps,

Yahalom.

CommanderofArmyHeadquarters,Maj.Gen.SamiTurgeman,wishedthesoldiershappy

tidingsfortworeasons-bothfortheinaugurationofthebattalionandforHanukkah."We're

locatedinthesouthernGolanHeights,notfarfromustheSyriansarediligentlydeveloping

warringcapabilitieswemustpreparefor,"saidMaj.Gen.Turgeman."Ourjobisnottoprepare

forconventionaloccurrences,butrathertopreparefortheextremeevent,andtheYanshuf

Battalionisthespearheadforthisdefense.Youhavebeengivengreatresponsibility.Avery

professionalunitwithgreatcombatspiritisbeingdevelopedhere."

Headof themilitary'sNBCCenter,Col.AriHoze,hasdreamedofthismomentfor

many years. "There isone ofcialNBC

battalionservingasacompassfortherest

ofthearmyandnowourresponsibilityisto

proveourselves.In2009,wecompleteda

two-yearperiodofcontinuousoperational

activity in the southern border. Due to

our unique steadfastness, the battalion

withstood professional challenges and

sustainedahighmoral."

Col.Hozespokeaboutchangesmadeoverthepastyearasaresultoftheunitbecominga

battalion."EffortstoextendtheNBCcombatscoursebegan,companycommandersnowgo

throughacoursewiththerestoftheinfantryunits.AllthisthankstotheGOCArmyHeadquarters

recognitionoftheunitanditsimportance."

Lt.Col.OrBenDavid,"Yanshuf"Battalioncommander,couldnotconcealhisexcitement.

"We,thecommandersandghtersoftheunit,weregiventheopportunitytobepartof this

innovativeprocess,duringwhichwearedesigningthebattalion'sgeneticcode.Beingapioneer

isnotonlyaprivilegebutalsoabigresponsibility,especiallysincewearetheonlyregulararmyNBCbattalionresponsibleforpreparingallNBCarrangementsinthegroundforces."

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The ABCs of NBC

TheIDFsCombatEngineeringCorpshasbegunanewinitiativetotrainfutureIDFcompany

commandersinhowtoconfrontnuclear,biological,andchemicalthreats.

WhenIDFsoldiershearaboutNBC(nuclear,

biological, andchemicalweaponry), they

areimmediatelytakenbacktobasictraining

duringwhich they learnedaboutdifferent

types of weapons' threats and practicedputting on gas masks. One particular

experience which has been burned into

theirmemories,andonthatoccasiontheir

eyes,isthatofspendinghoursintheNBC

training tentwith teargas in the air.The

NBC Center of the Combat Engineering

Corps,whichtrainsallof theunitsof the

IDFinhandlingtheseweapons'threats,hasbeenraisingawarenessaboutthemoverthe

pastyearthroughnumerousmethodsincludingseminardayswherecommandersaregiven

specialtraininginhowtoconfrontweapons'threatsandhowtopassthisknowledgeontotheirsoldiers.

Thisweek,approximately100futurecompanycommandersfromcommandertrainingcourses

throughouttheIDFarrivedattheNBCCenter.They'llreturntotheirunitsafterlearningabout

variousweapons'threatsIsraelisfacing.OneofthecoursescommanderstoldthemNBC

isessentialwhenlearningtherangeofthreatsthatanIDFcompanycommandermustface,

andthatthepurposeoftheirtrainingisto

passonasmuchknowledge aspossible

to the next commander in line who'll

thenbepreparedtoactintheeventofanuclear,biologicalorchemicalattack.The

commanders participated ina number of

theoretical classes about self defense

against and confrontation with chemical

andbiologicalwarfare.Theyalsolearned

about different means of detecting and

identifying the weapons and about how

toprotecttheirsoldiersandtheirarmored

vehicles.

Afterclass,thecommandersweresentouttotheeldwheredifferentstationswereawaiting

them.The rst station taught the commanders how to purify their soldiers after contact

withchemicalweapons.Thesecondstationdisplayeddifferenttypesof nuclear,biological

andchemicalweapons, includingsome newIDF innovations.Thenal station taught the

commandershowtoteachtheirsoldiersalloftheirnewly-gainedknowledge.

UntilnowIhadbasicknowledgeaboutNBCweapons,frompostersandfromclassesIhad

duringmybasictraining,Cpt.GiladPasternack,futurecompanycommanderfornewrecruits

totheNahalBrigade,said.

Today I heardmany things for the rst time.We learned about chemical and biological

threatsandhowtoprioritizethesethreatsduringtraining.HesaidthatNBCweaponsclass

isalwaysthoughtofasanimpositionduringtraining,whetherthatisduetoitscumbersome

andunpleasantnature,orduetotheperceptionthatthethreatisnotrelevant.NBCweapons

threatsseemnegligible,butitisobviousthatthisisnotso.Weneedtoknowhowtoghtin

theeventthatthesethreatswillbecomeactualized.

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IDF Lone Soldiers: The New Pilgrims

TheLoneSoldierCentercelebratedAmericasThanksgivingholidaywithdozensofAmericanlonesoldiers

onThursday(Nov.25).Withturkey,afootballgameandpie,itseemedasthoughforonenightAmerica

cametoTelAviv.

"Iwanted todosomething intense,something I can

lookbackonduringroughtimes,"saysSamKroneld,

abouttojointheIDFsNahalcombatBrigade,smiling

bashfully.

TheLoneSoldierCenterisanorganizationdedicated

toprovidingservicesandsupporttoIDFlonesoldiers,

or volunteersoldiers whosefamilies live abroad.

On Thursday (Nov. 25), The Lone Soldier Center

celebratedThanksgiving withAmerican lonesoldiers

living in the TelAviv, Jerusalem andHaifaareason

Thursday(Nov.25).

"TheLoneSoldierCenterismostlyvolunteerswho,whileinthearmy,werelonesoldiersaswell,"saysNessim,anactivememberoftheLoneSoldierCenterinJerusalem.

"IservedintheNahalBrigadeandIwasalonesoldieraswell.Ofcoursethereweremoneyproblems

andbeingacombatsoldieristough.ButIthinkthatthemostdifcultthingaboutbeingalonesoldieris

nothavingashouldertocryonorgettingahugwhenIneededit.That'swhatthiscenterisabout,we

helplonesoldierswiththingsfromhousingandnancialaidtocounseling."

"Although my family is not here, these people have become my family"

AstheannualThanksgivingfootballgameplaysonthescreen,thisIDFWebsitereporter,alonesoldierfromRockland,Maryland,notedtheyoungsoldierslaughingandminglingwitheachotheronarooftop

inTelAvivoverlookingthewholecity,feelingsofhappinessandsadnessspreading.

"Iamnotalonesoldier,"saysCorp.RoxanneFogelman,alonesoldierfromAshland,Oregon,who

currentlyliveswithanadoptivefamilyinMoshavGe'alya(avillageincentralIsrael)."Althoughmyfamily

isnothere,thesepeoplehavebecomemyfamily,"shesayswithasatisedsmileasshelooksaround

atthejoyfulsoldiers."ThisiswhereIbelong."

DimitriSalitra,borninRussiaandhavingservedinthe

GivaticombatBrigade,explained,"WhenIwasinthearmy,lonesoldiersdidn'tgetthepropercaretheyneeded

butnowIseehowmuchcommandersappreciateand

understandthedifcultiesofbeingalonesoldier."

Dimitri hasbeen out of thearmy for four years and

stillcomestoeventssponsoredbytheLoneSoldiers

Center.HeiscurrentlystudyingecologyinRehovot(a

cityincentralIsrael)."WhenIwasinthearmy,Ilivedon

akibbutzintheNorthandmyhousingwassubsidized

bythearmy.Now,soldiershaveavarietyofoptions.Andofcoursethecenterforlonesoldiers-theydosomuchforsoldiers,theyhelpineverywaypossible."

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"We want you to know that we care"

"ThankyouallforjoiningusincelebratingThanksgiving,"saysJoshfromtheLoneSoldierCenter."This

isthecenter'ssecondThanksgivingmealandwearegratefulthatyoucanallbehereandcelebrate.

Wewantyoualltoknowthatwecareandit'simportantforustohelpeachandeverylonesoldier."

As the catererscarryout twomassive plates of turkey, rice,mashed potatoes, salads, cranberry

sauceandevenAmericanstylepies,thisreporterfeltrightathomebutwithanewfamily.Webster's

dictionarydenespilgrimasonewhojourneysinforeignlands.Tonight,lonesoldiersoftheIDFare

thepilgrims.

"Don'tyoumissyourhome?"IaskedCorp.Fogelman.

"ThiswasthebestchoiceI'veevermade,"shesayscondently."Iwanttherestofmylifetobeinthe

army.IammotivatedtohelppeopleandtheyaresograciousIamhere.I'msohappyIjoinedtheIDF.

IfIwerestillhome,Iwouldbestaringatatextbook,wonderingwhatamIdoingwithmylife.Andnow

IserveasamedicintheNahalBrigade,"shesaysproudly.

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Head of the Israeli Civil Administration Wishes a Merry Christmas

Brig.Gen.MotiAlmozvisitedchurchheadsinJerusalemandwishedChristiansamerryChristmas.

HeadoftheIsraeliCivilAdministration,Brig.Gen.MotiAlmoz,visitedchurchleadersinJerusalemand

wishedlocalChristiansamerryChristmasonMonday(Dec.6).

Brig.Gen.AlmozvisitedtheVatican'snuncioinIsrael,ArchbishopAntonioFranco,HeadoftheFranciscan

CustodyintheHolyLand,FatherPierreBatistaPizzaballa,theLatinPatriarchFouadTwal,theGreekOrthodoxPatriarchTheopilosIIIandtheArmenianPatriarchTorkomManoogianattheirresidences.

TheHeadofthe IsraeliCivilAdministrationvisitedtheChurchoftheHolySepulcheraccompaniedby

membersoftheOrthodoxChurchwhotaughthimaboutitsfoundations.

Duringthevisits,Brig.Gen.AlmozwishedtheChristiansmerryChristmasandupdatedthemonalleviated

restrictionsleavingandenteringtheJudeaandSamariaregion,specicallyBethlehem.Brig.Gen.Almoz

explainedthesecuritysituationduringtheChristmasholiday,ensuringfreedomofworshipandreligionin

thebestwaypossibleaccordingtothesecurityassessment.

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Infantry Soldiers Begin to Rebuild the Carmel

HundredsofinfantrysoldiersfromtheIDFsNachalBrigadespentThursday(Dec.23)cleaningand

rebuildingwalkingpathsintheareasofthedestroyedCarmelforest.

Asmanyas1,000soldiers from the IDFsNachal infantryBrigadehelped clearand rebuild various

walkingpaths,paintsignsandmoreonThursday(Dec.23),intheareasdamagedbytheCarmelres.

OnThursday(Dec.2),ablazingrebeganspreadingwildlythroughtheCarmelForestnearHaifa(northern

Israel),annihilatingover750acresandcausingabuscarryingasmanyas50passengerstooverturn,

allegedlyafterthedriverlostcontrolofthevehiclebecauseofthereandsurroundingsmokeasitdrove

betweenkibbutzBeitOrenandDamonPrison.Thetragedyresultedin44deaths.

Fireghtingdelegations fromaround theworldrallied tohelp Israel stop the spread ofre including

planesandhelicoptersfromGreece,Bulgaria,Cyprus,Britain,Turkey,Russia,France,Italy,theUSand

Switzerland.

TheIDF,too,continuallysentforcestoassistintheghtincludingforcesfromtheIAF,thousandsof

soldiers, hundredsof vehicles, dozens of engineeringmachinesandmilitaryreghting vehicles.All

operatedfordaysuntiltherewasnallyputoutonSunday(Dec.5).

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IAF and Italian Air Force Conclude Combined Exercise in Sardinia

TheIAFandItalianAirForcenished a two-weeklong trainingexercise,strenghthehing cooperation

betweenthearmiesandusingtheIAF'sEitamaircraftinaforeignexerciseforthersttime.

TheIsraelAirForceandtheItalianAirForceconcludedanextensive,two-weeklongexerciseinSardinia

onNov.26.

IAFsquadronsTheTwin-TailKnightsandTheSpearheadF-15

fromtheTel-NofIAFbaseparticipatedintheexercise,aswellas the Defenders OfThe Southand The Golden EagleF-16

squadronsfromtheNevatimIAFbase.

ItwastheEitam(G550)AirTrafcControlAircraftsrstoverseas

trainingexercise.

TheItalianAirForcetrainedwithseveraladvancedaircrafts(for

exampletheEuroghterTyphoon,AMX,PanaviaTornadoandtheF-16).

TheexercisewasconductedtokeepIAFoperationalcapabilitiesstrong,trainitsaircraftsbothinlarge,unfamiliarairspacesandalongwithforeignaircrafts.

TheseallowtheIAFtolearnfromforeignairforcesandtofamiliarizeitselfwiththeNATOmilitarytactics

whilestrengtheningongoingcooperationwiththeItalianAirForce.

Theexercisewasconductedaccordingtoapre-planned,yearlytrainingschedule,partoftheextensive

cooperationnetworkbetweendifferentIDFforcesandothernationsandmilitariesaroundtheworld.

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December 2010