I was once mentioned by a friend that Israel has the BEST dog fighters in the world. They're apart of a special force called Matkal. I'm just wondering if anyone has any information on them. I'm especially curious to hear something from Sherman. Another thing, does the U.S. have any similar forces?
Any information on Matkal?
This is not very likely. Lets just review MATKAL(all of this is from open sources):
The unit known as MATKAL is actually Sayeret MATKAL(Unit 767). Translation:
Sayeret- Reccon Group. This term is used by the IDF for many of its Special Operations Forces. Similarly, the Reccon Companys of the Infantry Brigades are termed "Sayeret". This forces are usually between the size of a company and a bettalion.
MATKAL- This is an acronym for Mate Klali. Meaning General Staff. The Israeli High Command, if you will. The Commander of the IDF is called RAMATKAL- Rosh haMte haKlali- Chief of the General Staff.
So, why is Unit 767 named "Sayeret MATKAL"? The reason is that Sayeret MATKAL is under direct orders from the General Staff, and is considred a part of the Military Ineligence Core. It is the IDFs main Intel collection and deep reccon unit. It also preformes highly complicated anti-terror missions, and at times of war, the assault of high-quality targets. Think about some sort ofcombination between a LRRP(Long Range Reccon and Patrol) unit and Delta Force. The Unit is highly classified, accepts only the best of the best Israel has, and has a very large budget, allowing to purchass what ever weaponary it neads.
So, as you see, we are talking about what is an Infantry SOF force. They are not suppose to have pilots.....
Now, the IAF(Israeli Air Force) isconsidered one of the best Air Forces in the world. The recruitment basis for pilot is the same as the best SOF units in the IDF. Only a few of the ones who go into pilot training make it to fighter pilot. As to dog-fights, amongst western airforces the IAF pilots are known as masters of Close Range, Low Altitude Air-to-Air combat. So I guss the IAF dose have some of the best dog-fighters in the world.
The unit known as MATKAL is actually Sayeret MATKAL(Unit 767). Translation:
Sayeret- Reccon Group. This term is used by the IDF for many of its Special Operations Forces. Similarly, the Reccon Companys of the Infantry Brigades are termed "Sayeret". This forces are usually between the size of a company and a bettalion.
MATKAL- This is an acronym for Mate Klali. Meaning General Staff. The Israeli High Command, if you will. The Commander of the IDF is called RAMATKAL- Rosh haMte haKlali- Chief of the General Staff.
So, why is Unit 767 named "Sayeret MATKAL"? The reason is that Sayeret MATKAL is under direct orders from the General Staff, and is considred a part of the Military Ineligence Core. It is the IDFs main Intel collection and deep reccon unit. It also preformes highly complicated anti-terror missions, and at times of war, the assault of high-quality targets. Think about some sort ofcombination between a LRRP(Long Range Reccon and Patrol) unit and Delta Force. The Unit is highly classified, accepts only the best of the best Israel has, and has a very large budget, allowing to purchass what ever weaponary it neads.
So, as you see, we are talking about what is an Infantry SOF force. They are not suppose to have pilots.....
Now, the IAF(Israeli Air Force) isconsidered one of the best Air Forces in the world. The recruitment basis for pilot is the same as the best SOF units in the IDF. Only a few of the ones who go into pilot training make it to fighter pilot. As to dog-fights, amongst western airforces the IAF pilots are known as masters of Close Range, Low Altitude Air-to-Air combat. So I guss the IAF dose have some of the best dog-fighters in the world.
FlyingFrog
Active member
Interesting.
Israel's
Sayeret Mat'Kal
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Sayeret Mat'kal, otherwise known as General Staff Recon and more popularly as "The Unit", was formed in 1957 by an Officer by the name of Avraham Arnan. He petitioned the IDF General Staff to create a unit that could be dispatched to enemy held territory to carry out top secret intelligence gathering missions. The unit was initially based on the examples set forth by the SAS. Member of the unit were trained by Bedouin trackers on the finer points of looking and thinking like an Arab.
In 1959, a draftee named Ehud Barak was accepted into Sayeret Mat'Kal. He later succeeded the original Mat'kal leader, Lt. Meir Har-Zion, became Israel's most decorated soldier, and then went on to become the IDF Chief of Staff. Barak has a great influence on Sayeret Mat'kal. He was a highly innovative soldier, charismatic and brave. His presence inspired confidence in his soldiers and gave rise to a talented crew of operators that became a deadly and effective force.
Although a top-secret unit, Sayeret Mat'kal had a tremendous influence on the IDF. They were the original developers of helicopter infiltration techniques in Israel. In addition, their heavy use of the Uzi led them to convinced Israel Military Industries to produce an Uzi with a folding stock for increased accuracy while maintaining its small frame. They saw extensive action along the fronts of the 1967 Six Day War; many of Israel's warfighting successes before and during this conflict are evidence of their presence and abilities.
Sayeret Mat'kal has participated in many anti and counter-terrorist operations, including the storming of a Boeing 707 held by Black September terrorists in 1972 and the killing of a force of bus hijackers in the Gaza Strip. They are probably best know for their actions in the 1976 rescue of 106 passengers at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. There have been rumors linking them with several recent operations but these have never been confirmed by the IDF.
Members of Sayeret Matkal go through one year and 8 months of training before they are fully qualified as Matkal commandos. The best of the new recruits go to Unit 269, a part of Sayeret Matkal that specializes in counter-terrorism operations. Unit 269 is responsible for counter-terrorism activities outside of Israel and operates with the Israeli Navy's Flotilla 13 regularly.
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Two Excellent books that provide hard-to-find information on Matkal are "Israeli Special Forces" and "The Illustrated Guide to the World's Top Counter-Terrorist Forces", both by Samuel M. Katz.
Here's a commercial site selling a book by a former senior commander of Sayeret Mat'kal.
http://www.specwarnet.com/world/matkal.htm
Israel's
Sayeret Mat'Kal
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sayeret Mat'kal, otherwise known as General Staff Recon and more popularly as "The Unit", was formed in 1957 by an Officer by the name of Avraham Arnan. He petitioned the IDF General Staff to create a unit that could be dispatched to enemy held territory to carry out top secret intelligence gathering missions. The unit was initially based on the examples set forth by the SAS. Member of the unit were trained by Bedouin trackers on the finer points of looking and thinking like an Arab.
In 1959, a draftee named Ehud Barak was accepted into Sayeret Mat'Kal. He later succeeded the original Mat'kal leader, Lt. Meir Har-Zion, became Israel's most decorated soldier, and then went on to become the IDF Chief of Staff. Barak has a great influence on Sayeret Mat'kal. He was a highly innovative soldier, charismatic and brave. His presence inspired confidence in his soldiers and gave rise to a talented crew of operators that became a deadly and effective force.
Although a top-secret unit, Sayeret Mat'kal had a tremendous influence on the IDF. They were the original developers of helicopter infiltration techniques in Israel. In addition, their heavy use of the Uzi led them to convinced Israel Military Industries to produce an Uzi with a folding stock for increased accuracy while maintaining its small frame. They saw extensive action along the fronts of the 1967 Six Day War; many of Israel's warfighting successes before and during this conflict are evidence of their presence and abilities.
Sayeret Mat'kal has participated in many anti and counter-terrorist operations, including the storming of a Boeing 707 held by Black September terrorists in 1972 and the killing of a force of bus hijackers in the Gaza Strip. They are probably best know for their actions in the 1976 rescue of 106 passengers at Entebbe Airport in Uganda. There have been rumors linking them with several recent operations but these have never been confirmed by the IDF.
Members of Sayeret Matkal go through one year and 8 months of training before they are fully qualified as Matkal commandos. The best of the new recruits go to Unit 269, a part of Sayeret Matkal that specializes in counter-terrorism operations. Unit 269 is responsible for counter-terrorism activities outside of Israel and operates with the Israeli Navy's Flotilla 13 regularly.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two Excellent books that provide hard-to-find information on Matkal are "Israeli Special Forces" and "The Illustrated Guide to the World's Top Counter-Terrorist Forces", both by Samuel M. Katz.
Here's a commercial site selling a book by a former senior commander of Sayeret Mat'kal.
http://www.specwarnet.com/world/matkal.htm
