Hundreds participate in Paratroopers Brigade drill
IDF launches drill for entire brigade, though fog prevents third from parachuting. 'Brigade's initial purpose is to carry great many soldiers into enemy territory – capability we need to maintain,' says brigade commander
The Paratroopers Brigade launched a mass parachuting drill
in Israel's
south Wednesday night, in which hundreds of combat soldiers simulated parachuting behind enemy lines.
Due to fog, not all 1,100 paratroopers who were supposed to take part in the drill mounted the plans, and nearly a third remained on the ground.
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The combat soldiers parachuted from 1,200 feet, and the first ones to hit the ground stormed simulated enemy targets in both open and constructed areas.
In the brigade's previous drill, 40 were injured.
Paratrooper Brigade commander Colonel Eliezer Toledano
Preparing for drill
The soldiers jumped from four IAF Hercules planes. "The brigade's initial purpose is to carry great many soldiers into enemy territory, and that capability is something we need to maintain," said Paratrooper Brigade commander Colonel Eliezer Toledano.
Among the combat soldiers who took part in the drill was staff sergeant Nadav Gantz, company commander and son of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz.
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