Counter terrorism: rooftop training

Counter terrorism: rooftop training

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The roof of one a famous building in Tel Aviv [normally used as an academic institute for training teachers] was recently the scene of something completely different. This time, the facility was taken over by combat fighters, cadets and trainees at Israel’s counter terrorism training school. They had just completed a special counterterrorism course at Israel’s famous counterterrorism unit.

The rooftop at a residential area was a welcome change of scene from the all too familiar military training ground. The combat fighters made their way stealthily from the roof into the building’s top floor through the windows, learning how to use the altitude into their advantage. “Climbing to the roof and sliding through the window is one way to take out terrorists,” explains course commander Captain R. He further highlighted their motto: “maximum barrels through maximum positions in minimal time.”

Image courtesy of IDF Spokesperson
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High altitude counterterror fighter are an essential part of counter terror warfare, hostage rescue operations and continuous security missions. Sliding from the roof down the windows where terrorist are holding hostages is a tactical tool applied at situations that call for unconventional ways to arrive at the scene and engage the enemy. Elevation is just one of many challenges counterterror fighter must rise to, in addition to a variety of weapons systems and carrying heavy loads.

According to the IDF’s website, counterterrorism course graduates will in turn train the IDF’s other special units when it comes to rope climbing, sliding and other uses, as well as additional undisclosed warfare-related expertise.

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If you’re afraid of heights, then this isn’t for you

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Image courtesy of IDF Spokesperson

Given this obvious difficulty, course candidates are carefully screened in order to make sure they do not suffer from vertigo, etc.

Reportedly, the course commander told the fighters the main feature of their work is stealth. The reason being, that sometimes, they are required to make their way a few meters from the enemy and operate weapon systems and additional equipment without being detected.

Also in counterterrorism news:

The Eilat-headquartered counterterrorism force is to receive new helmets and new weapon sights. The new helmets are lightweight and come complete with imbedded night vision means. These helmets were tailor-manufactured especially for these fighters.

As part of the lessons of “Operation protective Edge”, the unit received new sights which increase accuracy by dozens of percent.

Eilat Counterterrorism Force is an intervention-takeover unit in charge of terror threats in Eilat, the Negev and the Arava. Consisting of reservists, the unit’s men are all veterans of IDF Special Forces. They always carry beepers and pagers, as they must all be on constant alert. Each year, they undergo several tours of training. This year, they practiced handling a mission scenario of a terrorist incursion into a settlement.