Kfir Brigade

IDF officers from the Kfir infantry brigade saluting the Israeli flag in a military ceremony, 2011

IDF Kfir Brigade officers practicing urban warfare

The Kfir Brigade (Hebrew: חֲטִיבַת כְּפִיר‎, lit. "Lion Cub Brigade"), also known as 900 Brigade, is the youngest infantry brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. It is subordinate to the 340th "Idan" Armoured Division of Israel's Central Regional Command.

History

In the 1990s the IDF formed the Designated Infantry Battalions (also known as the "90s Battalions") as auxiliary troops accompanying its armored forces. On December 6, 2005, these were unified into a single regular-service brigade commanded by Colonel Eyal Nosovski.

The brigade is currently deployed in the West Bank where its primary missions include counter-terror operations,^[1] apprehension of Palestinian terrorists, patrols, manning checkpoints and regular security activities. Before Israel's 2005 disengagement from Gaza, Kfir units were also stationed in the Gaza Strip. Members of this unit wear a camouflaged beret.

Structure

Although the brigade is subordinate to 162nd Division, each battalion is operatively attached to a regional brigade in the West Bank Division:

• 90th Nahshon Battalion, previously assigned to Ephraim Brigade
• 92nd Shimshon Battalion, previously assigned to Etzion Brigade
• 93rd Haruv Battalion, previously assigned to Shomron Brigade
• 94th Duchifat Battalion, previously assigned to Binyamin Brigade
• 97th Netzah Yehuda Battalion (Formerly the Nahal Haredi Battalion)

96th Lavi Battalion, previously assigned to Yehuda Brigade, was disbanded in July 2015.^[2]

Personnel

Kfir recruits must complete 10 months of combat training in order to be received into active service. The first four months of training are dedicated to basic training in which the soldiers learn discipline and are introduced to physical fitness and various weapons. After basic training, 3–4 months of advanced training are concluded in urban warfare, advanced weaponry, fighting from armored personnel carriers, chemical warfare and other challenges of today's battlefield.

In order to attract recruits to the brigade, the Israel Defense Forces decided that to join the elite Sayeret Oketz (Special K-9 unit) or Sayeret LOTAR (Special counter terrorism unit) recruits must choose Kfir as their first priority in the draft request form and during Tironut go through a selection process. Those who don't pass the selection process continue to serve in Kfir Brigade.

References

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