‘October 7 taught us that no installation is immune. This new force is our guarantee that the Air Force will keep flying, no matter what.’
By Hezy Laing
Israel is creating a new elite ground force to defend its Air Force bases, a move driven directly by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 infiltration and takeover plans.
The unprecedented assault, which killed more than 1,200 Israelis and saw militants breach multiple military installations, exposed vulnerabilities in the country’s southern defenses and raised fears that similar tactics could be used against the bases that house Israel’s most advanced aircraft and missile systems.
The new unit will be placed under Wing 7, the command that already oversees some of the Israel Air Force’s most elite formations.
Wing 7 is home to Shaldag, the air commando unit known for deep penetration raids, and Unit 669, the combat search and rescue force that specializes in extracting pilots and wounded soldiers under fire.
The addition of a dedicated base‑defense force is intended to create a triad of rapid response capabilities, ensuring that Israel’s air power cannot be paralyzed by infiltration or sabotage.
IAF Commander Maj.-Gen. Tomer Bar ordered the creation of the unit after internal reviews showed that Hamas had mapped Israeli bases as potential takeover targets.
Intelligence revealed that militants had studied the layout of facilities housing F‑35 stealth fighters, F‑15 squadrons, and Iron Dome missile batteries.
The new force will be trained to Rifleman 07 level, a certification that includes advanced weapons deployment, counter‑terror tactics, and specialized base defense scenarios.
Recruitment is scheduled to begin with the next draft cycle, and soldiers selected will undergo a unique training track focused on perimeter defense, helicopter‑borne rapid response, and integration with existing special forces.
The IDF has already begun upgrading base defenses with new sensors, scanning technologies, and fortified perimeter weapons systems.
Strategically, the creation of this force signals a doctrinal shift. Air bases, once considered secure rear areas, are now treated as potential frontlines.
For Hamas and Hezbollah, the move raises the cost of attempting base attacks, while for Israel it ensures that critical assets like the F‑35 Adir fleet and Arrow missile defense systems remain operational even under surprise assault.
In the words of one senior officer, “October 7 taught us that no installation is immune. This new force is our guarantee that the Air Force will keep flying, no matter what.”
