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IDF Paratroopers Brigade conducts heavy equipment drill with transport aircraft into combat zone

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The IDF Paratroopers Brigade's 202nd Battalion conducted a rare drill simulating the landing of troops and heavy equipment in a combat zone via transport aircraft.
  • This type of exercise, involving heavy equipment transport by Shimshon and Karnaf aircraft, had not been practiced by the brigade since the war began two and a half years ago.
  • The drill highlights the IDF's increased emphasis on the operational connection between the Air Force and ground forces, a connection significantly utilized since October 7.

Soldiers from the IDF Paratroopers Brigade's 202nd Battalion recently participated in a significant drill, practicing the deployment of troops and their heavy equipment into a combat zone using Karnaf and Shimshon transport aircraft. This exercise marks the first time since the war's commencement two and a half years ago that the Paratroopers Brigade has rehearsed landing a force with its heavy equipment via transport aircraft.

It is a drill that is broken down into elements. Two planes arrive at a building in Hatzerim; from there, vehicles are loaded, and they practice entering with a force. Along with the forces, we practiced loading and unloading in the field. For the infantry forces, it is important to carry out drills so they will be prepared for every scenario and every development in all sectors.

— Maj. P.Describing the multi-stage process and importance of the paratrooper deployment drill.

Throughout the current war, the Air Force has extensively used Shimshon and Karnaf transport aircraft for troop movements to combat zones. The article recalls an incident near Kibbutz Alumim where an Air Force Yasur helicopter, carrying soldiers from the Paratroopers Brigade's 890th Battalion to Kibbutz Be’eri, was hit by an anti-tank missile. Fortunately, no soldiers or crew were seriously injured, with only the pilot sustaining a minor hand wound.

Loading the vehicles, each vehicle has its own complexity, and obviously once you get closer to the ground, things become more complicated.

— Capt. D.Explaining the technical challenges involved in landing military forces with equipment.

Maj. P., deputy commander of the 202nd Battalion, described the drill's complexity, involving elements like arriving aircraft, loading vehicles, and practicing entry into a simulated combat area. He stressed the importance of such drills for infantry forces to prepare for any scenario. Capt. D., a pilot from Squadron 131, elaborated on the challenges of landing a large military force with its equipment, noting the specific complexities of loading various vehicles and the increased difficulty as the aircraft approaches the ground.

From our perspective, it is about how we take operational tools out for training while carrying out operational activity.

— Maj. P.Highlighting the integration of training drills with ongoing operational needs.

This drill underscores a broader shift within the IDF, emphasizing a closer operational connection between the Air Force and ground forces. Capt. D. noted that since October 7, the integration and coordination between air and ground units have been paramount, with numerous operations involving flying soldiers into operational sectors facilitated by these platforms.

Since October 7, the connection with the paratroo

— Capt. D.Discussing the increased importance of air-ground coordination post-October 7.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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