Israeli Air Force Establishes Elite All-Female Unit for Base Security
The Israeli Air Force is establishing "Arad," an elite all-female combat unit, to bolster security at strategic airbases following lessons learned from the October 7 attacks.
The Israeli Air Force is overhauling its security doctrine, establishing an all-female elite unit named "Arad" following the lessons of the October 7 attacks and a state comptroller report.
The first class of the Arad unit, operating under Wing 7 alongside elite units like Shaldag and Unit 669, is set to complete its training next week. The unit consists entirely of female combat soldiers trained to reconnaissance standards, tasked with protecting strategic airbases.
The soldiers will operate in close coordination with the police and the Shin Bet to counter threats and prevent attempts to target strategic assets. The initiative follows severe security flaws highlighted in the state comptroller report regarding the defense of strategic facilities, particularly after Hamas documents recovered on October 7 revealed detailed maps of airbases including Hatzerim, Hatzor, and Tel Nof.
The first operational company, comprising dozens of female fighters, will be deployed at the Nevatim airbase in the Negev. Nevatim hosts critical assets including F-35 fighter jets, refueling aircraft, and intelligence squadrons.
Arad fighters will conduct overt and covert patrols outside the bases, intercept suspects, counter drone threats, and act as an immediate intervention force in case of infiltration. Initial training is being led by commanders from the Shaldag unit, transitioning to female commanders as the unit grows.
Simultaneously, the air force is integrating infantry and elite units into airbase perimeters. Golani Brigade headquarters and elite units are slated to relocate to the Ramat David airbase, while other bases like Ovda, Palmachim, Tel Nof, and Ramon increasingly host permanent combat units to reinforce defense capabilities.
