Thinking like the enemy
There’s a reason people say that without tanks, you can’t go to war. They’re huge and sturdy, trample every obstacle that stands in their way, and have a tremendous amount of firepower. IDF tanks overcome almost every obstacle they encounter, however, the enemy facing IDF tanks has recently undergone a significant change. The Armored Corps used to fight against enemy tanks, but now, the enemy attacks using guerrilla units on the ground, ambushes and ammunition in an attempt to damage the tanks.
28.04.18
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In light of these changes, the Armored Corps conducted a large-scale ground exercise in northern Israel, in which it played out various combat scenarios. The exercise, which took place in cooperation with combat soldiers from the Golani Brigade’s 51st Battalion, simulated an attack deep inside enemy territory and clashing with enemies on the other side.
Armored Corps soldiers from the 74th Battalion carried out a particularly significant part of the exercise and acted as the “enemy." It was crucial that the “enemy” soldiers do everything they could in order to make the exercise realistic and difficult.
"Our job in acting as the enemy is to train the tanks and infantry forces, according to previous encounters that have occured in the north," explained Lieutenant Aviv, the company's deputy commander in the 74th Battalion and “enemy” commander during in the exercise.
"We try to portray the enemy as realistically as possible," he continued. "We wear similar uniforms and keffiyehs and use weapons that are identical to theirs, such as Kalashnikov automatic rifles and anti-tank missiles."
“During the exercise, infantry forces were on the Golani Brigade’s Namer APCs and tanks filled with crews arrived in order to occupy the area where we were located," Lt. Aviv explained. "Our goal was to get inside the enemy’s head in order to understand how to best carry out the ambush and hit the tanks with force."
During the exercise, the soldiers could hear them approaching from a distance. "They're here," yelled one of the soldiers, as Lieutenant Aviv ordered the teams to split up. Some of them entered the building to set up a fire trap and others ran into the forest in order to strike the armored vehicles that entered the area.
Suddenly the “enemy” soldiers gained sight of the armored vehicles and were ready for a confrontation. A number of shots were heard in the air as the "terrorists" began to storm in the direction of the soldiers. The soldiers were very alert, exited quickly from their armed vehicles, and wiped out the enemy.
Not only did the soldiers who fought against the ”enemy” gain important experience, but those who acted the “enemy” also improved as a result of the exercise. "As soon as we thought like the enemy and put ourselves in their shoes, we understood how they move and how they would try to attack us," Lt. Aviv said.
The soldiers who portrayed the enemy agreed that they took a lot from the experience. Corporal Amit said, “From now on I will be much smarter about choosing a hiding spot.” He explained that he now understands what’s going on in the enemy’s mind and that this will help him tremendously on the battlefield.
“They don’t say that where the tanks stop, the border will be set for no reason," said Lt. Aviv. “As long as we have tanks, the army can stand strong against our enemy. Our brigade is prepared for every possible scenario and enemy anywhere in the country."
