The ‘Rescue Under Fire’ exercise:
Imagine: you’re in a field, and in the middle lies a tank, turned upside down. There’s smoke everywhere, smoke emitted from the tank’s diesel engine. Through the suffocating fog, you hear gunshots being fired towards blurred figures moving around the tank. If this image sounds distressing, don’t worry- it isn’t real. You’ve probably just arrived at the Southern Command’s “Rescue Under Fire” exercise.
11.02.21
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This special exercise took place in the Southern Command, where different infantry brigades from all over the IDF took part in a three-day-long exercise at the center for logistics training at Tze'elim base.
“The purpose of the exercise is to maintain the forces’ capabilities, and to simulate the battlefield, in order to preserve the readiness of the maintenance personnel in the moment of truth.” says Lt. Col. Elad Weiss, Deputy Commander of Technology and Maintenance at the Southern Command.
The exercise examined combat support soldiers’ ability to rescue others during wartime. To simulate these scenarios, a tank was flipped over to simulate a crash, trapping mannequins underneath it. While soldiers tried to extricate the mannequins from the wreckage, an IDF sniper circled the scene, using colored bullets to resemble real live fire. The soldiers wore protective gear and helmets to ensure that no one would be injured during the exercise.
The soldiers’ mission was to rescue those trapped, and flip the tank back over, without losing anyone on the team- in just 90 minutes. If you get shot by a colored bullet - you’re out.
“As an officer for many years, I can say that experience is a significant thing.” says Weiss. “In order to maintain the capabilities and competence of the combat soldiers, the exercise simulates the battlefield as much as possible."
Four units participated in the exercise; the Armored Corps’ 401st Brigade, the Nahal Brigade, the Golani Brigade, and the Givati Brigade. It was no easy task - the soldiers faced tough conditions, time constraint, and pressure, all of which were designed to simulate the challenges that they could face during the next war.
No matter how difficult it may be, exercises like these are an important key to operational readiness. In order to succeed, our soldiers must show determination, agility, and strength.
