IDF Unit 669 for Combat Rescue, Evacuation & Airborne Medicine

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IDF special unit 669 is the Israeli Air Force’s Airborne Rescue And Evacuation Unit, and one of IDF’s four special units. The unit defines itself as the “security net for Israelis and Jews, wherever they are.” Recently, the unit took part in the intensive search and rescue operations in Tzafit River in the south of Israel, where the teams were flown by helicopters over the river and landed wherever there was a chance to find survivors. 10 youths from a pre-military academy were killed after they were carried off by a surge in the stream.   

Unit 669 was founded in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War, in response to deserting pilots injured on enemy territory. During the time, the unit’s capabilities and responsibilities have increased. The unit is capable of rescue missions by underwater diving, rappelling, from combat field, from ground vehicles or crashed aircraft, etc. Currently, unit 669 is responsible for every civilian and combat rescue of civilians and soldiers within Israel’s border and abroad. The unit’s combatants and medical staff are on a 24/7 airborne alertness and are capable of rapid response at any stage and any time of the day.

The Nonprofit Association “Cat” 669 Alumni (after the unit’s logo) is organizing a conference on Israel Combat Rescue, Evacuation & Airborne Medicine. The IsCREAM2 Conference is one of its kind in Israel, serving as a meeting point for all the airborne and ground rescue and evacuation organizations in Israel.

Members of military medical staff, MDA, United Hatzalah organization, civilian rescue units, firefighters, various medical organizations,and more will attend the conference.

The conference will take place in Ra’anana on May 22, 2018, and will focus on dilemmas, innovation, command decision making, scenarios, and cooperation among the various players in the rescue, evacuation, and emergency treatment on the field.

Efraim Sneh, MD., former Minister of Health and Commander of Unit 669, is the conference president. Ari Shamis, MD., Director of Assuta Medical Centers and former IAF Chief Medical Officer, chairs the conference. One of the sessions will focus on future medical platforms, exposing new solutions and research in this field, that may have repercussions regarding the operating rescue organizations: UAV-borne evacuation, the use of UAVs for transporting medical equipment, etc.