During the extraction a mortar fell and killed one of the units doctors. They rescued 5 members of the Shayetet comandos and evacuate the bodies of the other fallen soldiers.

The unit came under heavy machine gun and mortar fire upon arrival but carried out the rescue. The IDF immediately dispatched unit 669 to extract the soldiers from the fire fight. After the explosions, they came under heavy fire from Hezbollah terrorist that were waiting for them and took multiple casualties. The operators moved inland when they were ambushed after entering an orchard booby-trapped with bombs. The comandos landed in the early hours of the morning on Lebanon's southern coast. On September 5th 1997 a force of 16 Shayetet 13 operators set out on a mission to assassinate a senior member of the Hezbollah terror organization. They have been credited with hundreds of rescues and have saved countless lives. Unit 669 has participated in almost all of Israel's wars and confrontations since 1974. Recruits that do not make the cut are dropped, some just 2 months before completing the course.

Training consists of the most advanced and difficult courses the IDF has to offer, including:ДЄdvanced helicopter infiltration and exfiltrationДЄs well as completing the IDF commanders course.Дuring the 18 month training period the recruits' performance is continuously evaluated. Their selection and training lasts 18 months and is among the most physically and psychologically demanding of the IDF. They are highly efficient ground soldiers in addition to their high level of medical training.

The members of 669 are highly trained in Special Forces tactics due to the very real possibility of having to fight their way to casualties beyond enemy lines. Three crew members survived, and the fourth drowned during a failed rescue attempt.ДЄfter the incident, the top brass established a search and rescue unit whose primary goal would be to extract and provide medical treatment to downed air force pilots behind enemy lines.ДЄfter years of successful operations, the unit added the responsibility of extracting soldiers of the other arms of the IDF, especially the Special Forces units.Дuring peacetime, the unit helps rescue civilians injured during various catastrophic incidents, and it serves as a civilian medevac for lost, stuck or injured hikers who need extraction from Israel's deserts or canyons. Two Israeli Air Force planes collided mid flight during a training exercise over the Mediterranean sea. The unit was established in 1974, after a fatal flight accident that occurred two years earlier. They will not rest until everyone is brought home and accounted for.

Their specialties include helicopter extraction and infiltration, rappelling, fast roping, scuba diving and counter-terrorism.The essence of a 669 operator is the ability to make difficult decisions under high pressure.They are IsraelвЂ™s guardian angels and heroes from the sky. Tasked with extraction, recovery and medical treatment of injured soldiers, combat pilots and civilians. Unit 669, shesh shesh tesha, is the IDFвЂ™s elite Combat, search and rescue unit. Which Unit should we do next? Leave your reply in the comment section below! Video Transcript:

Israel search and rescue team