Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Behind computer screens, the all-female unit defends Israel's maritime borders
Date: 29/08/2011, 8:24 PM Author: Navy Website
Marine control observers are crucial in ensuring the security of Israel.
Some stationed near the Gaza Strip, the all-female unit watches over
Israel's waters day and night behind computer screens at the Navy's secured
control posts.
"Their observers are in direct contact with the ships," said Cpt. Or Dvir,
Commander of the Ashdod Regional Control Post. "They know everything: who is
at sea, who is coming home, where they are going and why. And if a mark on
the radar isn't recognized, the observers send ships to identify it."
"Despite the long hours, the girls are dedicated to their jobs and
understand the responsibility they have. They understand they're defending
human life," Cpt. Dvir explained.
"Marine observers must be responsible, have high endurance and most
importantly have self-control," said Pvt. Dana Badlov, an observer at the
post.
The observers are required to determine whether ships are mere fishing
vessels or rather threats to Israel's security. Simultaneously, they contact
vessels entering and leaving the Ashdod port, listen to civilian frequencies
to identify crises and guard Israel's border with the Gaza Strip.
These girls thwart attacks before they even take place, by sending ships and
providing them with information about the vessels at sea.
"People outside don't actually know what happens here and we're not really
allowed to elaborate. There aren't any fences at sea, it's only us,"
explained Cpl. Shir Anisimov.
The information collected by the observers is analyzed by senior observers
and later by high ranking officers.
Marine observers go through a three-month course at a Navy training base and
are stationed at one of the posts along Israel's shores. There, they learn
how to use the necessary devices.
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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: www.imra.org.il
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Virtual fence will operate alongside the physical barrier being built to
prevent infiltrations
Date: 28/08/2011, 1:29 PM Author: Netanel Rozman, Elina Greenspoon,
Bamahane
In the shadow of recent security incidents in the south, a virtual fence
that will aid in the detection and prevention of infiltration attempts will
be set up on the Israel-Egypt border in the coming year.
Magna Technologies, a defense systems company, will be entrusted with
constructing the virtual fence, which will cost millions of dollars.
The virtual fence will operate alongside the physical barrier currently
being built along the Israel-Egypt border.
"Such a system would have surely prevented the terror attacks in the south,"
said Magna CEO Haim Siboni. "I believe that recent events will accelerate
the process of constructing the fence, but this has been a long process of
tests and checks over the past seven years."
Radars will be positioned on high poles, allowing for the observation of
objects from long-distance.
According to Magna, the main advantages of the virtual fence are its
abilities to identify objects in a focused and detailed manner and to
overcome false alarms.
Siboni said that the system will significantly upgrade Israel's abilities to
control what takes place on the border.
Military officials said last week that the construction of a physical
barrier on the Israel-Egypt border will be complete by the end of 2012,
rather than 2013 as originally planned.
45 kilometers of the barrier have been built over the past eight months and
another 100 kilometers are scheduled to be built by the end of this year,
leaving the 130 kilometers to be built in 2012.
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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: www.imra.org.il
----------------------------
Head Logistics Officer speaks of recent advancements at the Fifth Annual Latrun Conference
Date: 06/09/2011, 9:30 PM Author: Daniella Bokor IDF
The IDF Logistics Corps will soon implement unmanned vehicles used for
supply transport and enhance soldier durability, according to Head Logistics
Officer, Brig. Gen. Mofid Ganem who spoke at the Fifth Annual Latrun
Conference today, Tuesday (September 6).
Brig. Gen. Ganem addressed supply transfer challenges in complex warzones
and future logistics solutions.
A 'supply chain' refers to transfer of supplies such as food, medical
equipment, fuel, ammunitions and other, to combat soldiers in the field
during an emergency. The equipment is transported in a variety of ways that
require securing of routes.
"We've improved supply transportation since the Second Lebanon War," said
Brig. Gen. Ganem. "We train the forces to create better suited routes."
Since logistics soldiers are many times required to enter warzones, they
will now be trained accordingly.
"We teach our logistics officesr to approach the forces in spite of the
dangers," explained Brig. Gen. Ganem. "In enemy presence we will be able to
employ logistics soldiers as security forces as well, trained to fight and
better understand the situation."
Brig. Gen. Ganem discussed technological advancements in command and control
systems as well as incorporating the use of unmanned aerial and ground
vehicles.
The vehicles will transport supplies to infantry forces without risking
human life. "These will definitely be taken into consideration in the
upcoming IDF's multi-annual plan," he said to IDF Website.
Lighter and longer-lasting supply carriers are being developed as well.
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IMRA - Independent Media Review and Analysis
Website: www.imra.org.il
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