(January 2, 2023 / JNS) The presence of feminine and male fight troopers serving collectively has created a optimistic and balanced dynamic in navy models specializing in territorial protection, a feminine Israel Protection Forces firm commander instructed JNS in latest days.
Capt. Osher Ben Tzur, 23, is an organization commander within the Lion of the Valley Battalion, one in every of 4 co-ed IDF infantry battalions, together with the Bardelas (Cheetah), Caracal and Panther models.
Shaped in 2016, the Lion of the Valley Battalion, part of the Jordan Valley Territorial Brigade, operates within the southern Jordan Valley, the place it undertakes an array of crucial safety missions, from responding to violent incidents to disrupting drug smuggling infiltrations from Jordan and finishing up common counterterrorism raids.
“The mixture of women and men is without doubt one of the points that contributes to stability right here,” mentioned Ben Tzur. “Women and men are serving collectively shoulder-to-shoulder and focus on operational issues collectively. They conduct evaluations collectively, they usually each serve in a wide range of roles equivalent to being a sign operator or [combat] driver,” she added.
From central Israel, Ben Tzur was drafted 5 years in the past.
“I grew up in a non secular residence after which went to a navy boarding faculty in Haifa,” she mentioned.
Give 100% to the nation
It was clear to Ben Tzur earlier than she joined the IDF that she needed to serve in a big fight function and to contribute to the nation, she mentioned, including that she discovered from her dad and mom “to present all the things, to present 100%, to the nation.”
She reached the Lion of the Valley Battalion when it was nonetheless in its founding phases and noticed a chance to create one thing new.
As we speak, she instructions dozens of troopers, a place she has held for 10 months, earlier than which she served as a platoon and deputy firm commander in an operational sector.
“Every single day, when civilians see troopers guarding the sector, individuals really feel protected,” she mentioned, describing that as a key motivator. The corporate conducts night-time arrest operations not less than twice every week and offers with disturbances equivalent to rock-throwing and firebombings on the roads that threaten the lives of Israeli drivers.
The corporate comprises a wide range of troopers, together with seven lone troopers—in Israel with out shut kinfolk who may also help them—from the US, France and Uzbekistan, mentioned Ben Tzur.
The previous 12 months has seen a big rise in terrorism and different violence, she mentioned, whereas the unit has additionally been busy disrupting cross-border gun smugglers.
The unit is the primary on the scene to reply to terrorist shootings in its sector, and has seen an uptick in rock-throwing and firebombings. The Almog Junction has been a daily flashpoint for such disturbances.
“Previously 12 months we noticed an increase within the variety of gun smugglings, too. Simply final week, we captured 45 firearms. Our catches have included handguns, M-16s and different weapons. The brigade has been working laborious to disrupt this,” she mentioned.
In response to IDF statistics, greater than 25 cross-border smuggling makes an attempt have been thwarted by the Jordan Valley Brigade prior to now 12 months, and over 500 weapons have been confiscated. This compares to 10 smuggling makes an attempt and 143 weapons seized in 2021.
“I feel that on the earth of fight, while you see communities and residents in your space, you wish to defend them. This want is what makes one wish to play an element. The necessity for protection doesn’t stop, and our involvement on this protection is what makes us really feel important,” mentioned Ben Tzur.
