What is Sayeret Matkal Unit?

Sayeret Matkal, also called General Staff Reconnaissance Unit 269, is an elite commando unit of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).

What is Sayeret Matkal Unit?

About Sayeret Matkal Unit

  • Sayeret Matkal, also called General Staff Reconnaissance Unit 269, is an elite commando unit of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF).
  • The unit was established in 1957 at the initiative of its first commander, Avraham Arnan.
  • It is modelled on the UK’s Special Air Service, or SAS, a Special Forces unit of the British army, taking the unit’s motto “Who Dares Wins“.
  • Sayeret Matkal is a field intelligence-gathering unit that conducts deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines and is also tasked with counter-terrorism and hostage rescuebeyond Israel’s borders.
  • It is directlysubordinate to the Special Operations Branch of the IDF’s Directorate of Military Intelligence.
  • Israel only acknowledged its existence in the 1980s.
  • They have been known to work in conjunction with other elite Israeli units such as Sayeret Tzanhanim, Flotilla 13, and Sayeret Golani.
  •  It is best known for its role in the 1976 Entebbe airport raid in Uganda, when its commandos saved 100 Israelis from Palestinian hijackers.

Q1: What is a reconnaissance mission?

A reconnaissance mission, often referred to as a recon mission, is a military operation or task designed to collect information about an enemy, terrain, or other aspects of the battlefield. The primary purpose of a reconnaissance mission is to gather intelligence and provide critical information to military commanders, which can help them make informed decisions and develop effective battle plans.

Source: Sayeret Matkal, Israel’s Tip Of The Spear, Preps For Hostage Rescue: Report

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