Protecting Israel’s Shores
“The naval control and command soldiers are the eyes of the country. Why? Most of the Israeli population lives on the coast. No one in Israel thinks that when they go to the beach something bad will happen and that something or someone will come from the sea to harm them. We have to protect our seas and beach so that Israel can sustain the economy,” said Lt. Rotem.
27.05.18
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Lieutenant Rotem is the Commander of the Naval Command and Control School, where soldiers learn how to detect potential threats and protect Israel’s shores.
“Naval command and control soldiers are the Israeli Navy’s equivalent to the Ground Forces’ field observers, they are responsible for controlling, locating, and thwarting infiltration and terror activities in Israel. They’re also responsible for every boat entering and leaving Israel,” said Lt. Rotem.
Once the soldiers finish school they are stationed around Israel. “The naval command and control soldiers are spread out along the coasts of Israel, from Rosh Hanikra in the north, all the way to Eilat in the south. We have eight bases and two smaller bases incharge and that concentrate the control corps,” Lt. Rotem explained. The naval command and control soldiers are given areas of different sizes to watch and their being spread out allows them to keep an eye on Israel’s shores.
“The central posts are in charge of protecting mainland Israel, meaning the beaches of Tel Aviv, Netanya, Hadera, and Haifa. The Stella Regional Control center is in Haifa, the Olga Regional Control center is in Hadera, the Ashdod District Control Center is in the Ashdod port, and there's the Haifa Training Base District Control Center which is responsible for the three northern control centers (Rosh Hanikra, Stella, Olga). Finally, all the posts answer to the Yishai Naval Control Unit in the IDF Headquarters,” said Lt. Rotem.
When a naval control and command soldier is patrolling their area, they use cameras and radars which they control both from naval vessels and on shore. Thanks to this technology, they are able to tell how far the vessel is and what kind of vessel it is.
The naval control and command soldiers go through extensive training and learn about the cameras, the radars, the control system and special procedures so they can protect Israel’s waters as best as possible. “The biggest challenge is that the sea is open, there’s no fence or wall defining where the sea ends and so anyone can sail anywhere they like.”
“I just want to say that this is the most important job, it's considered a combat support job and is one of the most important jobs for girls in the army. It’s very difficult, but at the same time it’s extremely rewarding. Every Shift, their work has a significant impact and it’s clear why we do what we do.”
