ISRAEL

The most advanced tank most dangerous border: keep tankers joined the Gaza Strip.

October 1, 2013   ·   0 Comments

 

“The approach was changed. While we face missiles we’re not going back, but charging forward and respond with fire. Gazans know how we got here, they know our capabilities. It’s a very revealing to Israel and we have here of targets such as the Air Force. Dishes loaded and ready, as we “. 401 Brigade Hsrionrim well aware that the calm in the Gaza Strip since the saved page can explode in a storm cloud. It seems everyday lives

Shay Levy | Time spent so far | Published 06/18/13 11:15:20
 
Merkava 4 tank on the Gaza border. “Record preparedness”
Photo: Shay Levy

Seven months have passed since Operation pillar of cloud , only seven months, and it seems that the border strip became one of the quietest in the country, even though everyone knows by bubbling lava below the surface. Fighters Division 401 line returned last month with Gaza after they exercise a large brigade. They came back to reality beguiling, quietly raging on one side and the other side. Quietly border we think nothing of the sort, and most cases, the easiest ones, did not reach publication. Only in January revealed a tunnel near the fence, in March pro Gazans the imaginary quiet when fired a rocket fired at Ashkelon and rode the northern commander Col. Ofer Winter. In April a bomb exploded on a nearby fence to D-9 , May found that the fence was breached again and this partial list does not include failed launches, shootings and demonstrations on the fence.

These deal with now 401 Brigade, Armored Brigade operates the Merkava 4 tank, it would give the IDF trust solution in case of fire., As an artillery captain told us: “The army of this most dangerous border, although the situation in the Golan , so places where the most advanced tanks and armored own. “

חטיבה 401
“When we hijack missiles we’re not going back are storming ahead and respond with fire.” Crew in action
Photo: Shay Levy

This week I went to Gaza to meet the division’s tank crew, to see what their angle looks Gaza Strip, and get their impressions on the situation on the ground – a situation that many Zimbabweans seem real utopia. I got to meet interesting and cohesive team, Acting living in the settlement, agricultural proud Nahalal new immigrant from Brazil and another who lived near Netanya. Everyone proud of their service and everyone understands the meaning of service in the Gaza Strip.

“We moved from defense to offense”

 

Division 401 has a long tradition that went back to the Six-Day War, and has participated in every war and conflict. This division and regiment it belongs nine crew joined him, recorded history when they were responsible for the first interception of the missile was launched at their tank. “We are the first company to receive the windbreaker and the company intercepted the first missile, “said Second Lieutenant Ariel Hoffman vineyards Contact . “Do you understand what the capabilities of this tank and power, need to understand that because the systems have on the tank, the windbreaker, it has capabilities closing fire very fast. This tank protection with intercepts and along with systems classified approach changed and defense changed the attack. While we grab missiles we no longer go backwards and forwards these charging respondents fire. Gaza know we got here, at the end they have intelligence and observation and they realize we’re here. they are more or less familiar with the capabilities. “

The staff of Lt. Hoffman I met long after the Watch ambush their observation means the Strip. They live in the area and unlike us feel the calm before the storm. “Very quiet on the other hand you see everything, you also know what’s going over the fence. I can tell you we identify the gunmen and we Hsrionrim it very difficult. Tools here loaded and ready but we understand the complexity and the Pacific are also given. Ultimately we protect the residents and South stumbled quiet clear to us that they, too quiet and mission. “

Gaza Division know owns the most advanced tool ready for any situation. Equipment in the tank down to vest in an accessible place, a few minutes they can move the tank and get to where it should. They are busy opening the road, long ambushes their biggest challenge is to maintain routine operations. Second Lieutenant Hoffman’s something very particular about standards. “Keeping the tension at the end of this challenge here will explode.”

חטיבה 401
“Keeping the tension at the end of this challenge here will explode.” A Look Inside
Photo: Shay Levy

Work in Gaza integrated with other forces – an integrated combat team (Tzk”g) which include both engineering battalions armor, infantry artillery, water rides, and other means are prohibited publication. “We know the work here with everyone and it is something that runs strong and working on it a lot. Before each ambush joint drills we do and that includes an increase in the tools of our other forces.”

“Two weeks ago D-9 increased the cargo and flew him to the Cape,” recalls Hoffman lieutenant. “We had a week of mortar and other events that came out and it’s something that makes Lsrionrim here and be ready all the time. Gaza that Israel is a very vulnerable and We here of targets such as the Air Force and in the end we, with armored firepower and large, close the circle of fire the fastest., but it is important to say that the response to a tank is something that can affect the status quo of the Gaza Strip. “

“This tool intimidating his abilities. When something happens, call us”

Generation tools are the latest high-tech and it’s something that stands out in the second they entered the tank. All computerized touch of a button. No longer have argued with the muscles and the driver does not have to embrace the neck to remove the head or eyes to see. Corporal Michael Balsiano joined a year and a half after coming from Brazil. It shows me the tank driver and again a prominent screens in it. “It’s an experience to drive a tank like that, especially that I have no car license,” he says with a smile. “We do here many ambushes attitudes and perceptions of fire. Work is not easy but satisfying. Actually did most of the time I sleep, that should alert a driver, so no complaints. “

Tank fully automatic and very simple to operate. “In addition you have a computer on which everything appears to electrical faults through some fuel left for you. Steering gear is like car so it’s very convenient. Both thermal cameras have a night like that for me is like a day.”

חטיבה 401
“We feel good, we protect the citizens.” Crew in a moment of pride
Photo: Shay Levy

Sgt Dothan Lavie, said the team’s relationship, but would like to stress first of all agricultural self Nahalal proud. “Crew is reached after nearly two years of Magellan was fighting unit.” I am responsible for loading the cannon shells and manipulate the corresponding MAG. through the computer I admire the communication system and everything is at the touch of a button. ambushes I scan using specific intent can not elaborate on it but sees everything. ” If the charge transfer would have to try to load the shells and know what kind it brings, coach Mark 4 all computerized, “I choose the type of shell with a click of a button on the computer and after I click OK to have a system that serves my shell I chose after she sorts alone, this cell opens and I move away the shell barrel. “

“I go on vacation releasing Twenty days I had a very interesting service,” says Lavie. “This transition could barely Magellanic armor and fought very hard for him and I’m glad for every moment. Become a warrior here is much more interesting, not just the line here but gives you a good feeling that you’re protecting civilians.”

Sgt Pepper assault gunner fighting to return to the company after he was wounded, and it pulls the trigger gun. “It is very important that I introduce the sector because of the role perfectly. I do this work from the tank, every ambush, and a lookout as part of the job I really going to get to know their positions in the sector and see the goals. You always learn more and I can say that I memorized the entire region here. “

חטיבה 401
Maintain operational routines
Photo: Shay Levy

Pepper adds hard to be closed tank so many hours, but very cohesive team. “There is also the little luxuries our example yesterday we brought the tank watermelon with ice. Seriously I can tell before of the activities we did a field trip, everything as we with protective equipment and complete, and feet behind you see a farmer plowing his field. I can tell you guys The paratroopers sit with us came and said to me, bottom line is you are fighting, you are doing the work. heard, it’s scary tool in his abilities. having something on the fence call us sort things out.

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