{{pp|small=yes}} {{Short description|Israeli Air Force Special Unit}} {{Infobox military unit | unit_name = Unit 5700 | image = YAHAK_5700_Insignia_-_since_2017.png | image_size = 200px | caption = Unit logo | native_name= יחידת ההנחתה הקדמית | dates = December 10, 1973 – present | garrison = Nevatim Airbase | country = {{flag|Israel }} | branch = {{air force|Israel}} | type = Special Operations Force | role = | size = | command_structure = {{air force|Israel}} | nickname = YAHAK | motto = | colors = | colors_label = | battles = Yom Kippur War<br />Operation Litani<br />1982 Lebanon War<br />Operation Moshe<br />Gaza war | identification_symbol = 200px | identification_symbol_label = Former Insignia | specialization = Airfield Assault Zone establishment, special reconnaissance, Air traffic control, fire support }}
'''Unit 5700''' also known as '''Forward Air Field Tactical Unit ('''Hebrew acronym YAHAK''')''' is a special unit of the Israeli Air Force concerned with establishing and operating temporary forward landing bases for transport, reinforcement, logistics, and other purposes. Along with Shaldag Unit and Unit 669, it constitutes the special forces wing of Israeli Air Force.
==Roles== The mission of the unit is to locate and operate forward airfields and airstrips usable for aircraft, which are not permanent airfields of the Israeli Air Force.
The role is carried out by a "frontal assault lander and includes paratroopers, examining the suitability of the region for the task, marking them and establishing temporary airstrip.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mitgaisim.idf.il/%D7%AA%D7%A4%D7%A7%D7%99%D7%93%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%9E%D7%A0%D7%97%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%A1%D7%A2%D7%A8-%D7%A7%D7%93%D7%9E%D7%99|title=מנחית סער קדמי|website=Mitgaisim|language=he|accessdate=23 July 2024}}</ref> The inspection of the intended runways is carried out by a "soil examiner" who is also the professional authority that approves the landing on the spot.The work is carried out with the transport planes and various aircraft and it requires knowledge of communication and flight control and infantry, navigation and mobility skills.<ref>https://www.iaf.org.il/9549-55734-he/IAF.aspx</ref>
thumb|A transport plane lands at an airstrip constructed by unit 5700 in April 2021
It also plays to role in the security of Airforce installations. The role of the unit is similar to that of United States Air Force Combat Control Team.
==History== The unit was established on December 10, 1973, at the Lod Airbase . Avraham Shavit was the first to establish the unit then called as the "route branch".<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.idf.il/media/eq0l5q33/מלחמת-יום-הכיפורים-קובץ-קל-לאינטרנט-עם-תמונת-עטיפה-אסף.pdf|title=מלחמת יום כיפור וחיל האוויר }}</ref> In the Yom Kippur War, the unit participated under the command of Amos Jordan. In 1978 she participated in Operation Litani.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.idf.il/media/ew2oggyu/litani_-_the_book-1.pdf|title=מבצע ליטני}}</ref> In the 1982 Lebanon War, the unit was deployed at the Beirut International Airport for Air Force operations, and at Ansar, Marjayoun and Damour. In Operation Moshe, the unit's soldiers helped in the evacuation of Ethiopian Jews. The unit also transported humanitarian aid to Rwanda and took part in military exercises in Mexico. In 2009, the unit was deployed at the Nevatim Airbase.<ref>https://www.iaf.org.il/9484-54000-he/IAF.aspx</ref> In 2009, the unit joined the Special Air Forces Command of Israeli Air Force. In 2022, it was transferred to Special Air Forces Wing.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200712223643/https://www.idf.il/%D7%90%D7%AA%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9D/%D7%96%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A2-%D7%94%D7%90%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%97%D7%9C%D7%9C/2020/%D7%90%D7%99%D7%97%D7%95%D7%93-669-%D7%95%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%93%D7%92-%D7%9C%D7%9B%D7%A0%D7%A3-%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%97%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%90%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%95%D7%97%D7%93%D7%99%D7%9D/ ברוכים הבאים לכנף 7 - הבית החדש של כוחות האוויר המיוחדים], On the IDF website, July 12, 2020, compiled in the Web Archive</ref> The unit also participated in the Gaza war.<ref>{{ Cite web|url=https://www.israeldefense.co.il/node/62390|title=לראשונה: שלוש לוחמות מצטרפות ליחידת הנחיתה הקדמית של חיל האוויר, ישראל דיפנס|website=www.israeldefense.co.il|accessdate=2024-06-24|language=he}}</ref> In 2024, female personnel were integrated into the unit for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9747-61932-he/IAF.aspx|author=Shani Perlberg|title=הלוחמות הראשונות באגף 7 אומרות: "חובת ההוכחה עלינו"|website=IAF website|date=20 June 2024|language=he}}</ref>
==Selection & Training== * '''Prerequisites''' : medical profile 82 or higher, {{ill|KBA index|lt=KBA|he|מדד קב"א}} 53 or higher, {{ill|Initial psychotechnical rating|lt=DPR|he|דירוג פסיכוטכני ראשוני}} 50 or higher. The screening includes computerized tests, medical examinations, a security investigation and an interview. * '''Military training''' - Same training as that given to Unit 669 and Shaldag Unit special operatives. * '''Recruitment''' - a limited, one-year recruitment cycle, held at the end of November.
==Sources & References== {{reflist}} * {{Cite web|author=Eran Belcher|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/1293-25837-he/IAF.aspx|title=נחיתה רכה|website=Israeli Air Force website}} * {{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/4968-33534-he/IAF.aspx|title=YHK (יחידת נחיתה קדימה)|website=Israeli Air Force website}} * {{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/7147-41211-he/IAF.aspx|title=בעיר חיל האוויר, על קרקע בטוחה|website=Israeli Air Force website}} * {{Cite news|url=https://news.walla.co.il/item/3115736|title=At every point on the globe: the air fighters who extend the Israeli arm|website=Walla|date=November 30, 2017|language=he}} * {{Cite news|url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/magazine/187681/|author=Maya Polak|title=היחיד שבנה רצועת נחיתה באיראן לפני תקיפה ישראלית|website=Makor Rishon|date=December 3, 2019|language=he}} * {{Cite news|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/603341|author= Hanan Greenwood|title=מסווג: היחידה שמנחת מטוסים בשטח האויב |website=Israel Hayom|date= October 29, 2018}} * {{Cite web|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9526-55520-he/IAF.aspx|author= Zohar Neiger|title=שדה תעופה נייד, |website=Israeli Air Force website|date=December 1, 2021}} * {{Cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/163078/|title=היחידה שמנחיתה לוחמים בלב הקרב|website=IDF website|date=December 18, 2023}} * {{Cite web|author=Love Turgeman|url=https://www.iaf.org.il/9327-52858-he/IAF.aspx|title=איך נוחתים בעפר|website=Israeli Air Force website|date=April 11, 2023}}
Category:Air force special forces units Category:Special forces of Israel Category:Israeli Air Force units Category:Military units and formations established in 1973 Category:1973 establishments in Israel