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Feminine force behind IDF missile boats
Yediot Achronot ^ | 08/06/06 | Hagai Einav

Posted on 08/06/2006 12:44:16 PM PDT by JOHN ADAMS

Under shadow of rockets and mortars, young women soldiers direct IDF warships to destroy enemy targets in Lebanon. Girls know it's scary, but important

Hagai Einav

In recent days, Israel's Navy has intensified its operations to eliminate the threat of rocket attacks on Nahariya, Haifa and the Krayot area. On Sunday, a Ynet crew had the unique opportunity to visit the naval operations room, where young women soldiers direct INF missile boats in their mission to destroy terrorist rocket launchers.

A group of female soldiers, who constitute 80 percent of the personnel in the outpost, have been laboring around the clock for 26 days, in an attempt to prevent a continuation of rocket attacks on the north-west.

Women at work, in an operations room (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

One of these ladies is Cpl. Moran Kdushim, 20, who has served for more than a year in the outpost as a shift leader.

"The first days weren’t easy," she says. "Managing such a complicated operation, while the outpost is under attack from rockets and mortars, is scary, but it's also toughening. The girls here have incredible responsibility on their shoulders and they consider it an honor to have the important job of communicating with the crews at sea."

Kdushim explains that the women's young age doesn't constitute a problem because they underwent extensive training and are now executing the things they have learned. 'Manning' one of the control systems, we met Sgt. Sivan Cohen from Nahariya. While on leave, she spent time with her family in their fortified structure. Back in the army, she sits in front of a control screen, in order to help stop the next barrage from being launched on her home.

In front of a control screen (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

"We've been here for almost three weeks straight…It's like an unending school trip. We have a strong military and, alongside the strength demonstrated by residents of the north such as my parents, we are waging a difficult battle along the Lebanon coast," Sivan says.

After success, comes fulfillment

At approximately 12 p.m. the radars show a group of missile boats that sailed out in order to attack targets on the Lebanon coast, including Hizbullah outposts that house rocket launchers.

Cpl. Nitzan Yogev holds the two way radio and directs the crew to the target. A few seconds later, she receives the report of a direct hit on all targets, a foil of an attempted rocket launch towards Nahariya. The missile-boats, their mission completed, return safely to Israeli shores.

"After every success, there's a feeling of fulfillment. We feel that we helped reduce the damage that could have resulted from that launching," Yogev explains. "We have become a close-knit group over the past three weeks, fighting here, eating here, sleeping here, and feeling that the weight of the mission is on our shoulders."

Focused on helping ships at sea (Photo: Hagai Aharon)

Head of the navy's command and control system in the north, Lt. Cdr. Amnon Kinreich, expressed pride in his unit's operations. "When the fighting started, they wanted to replace the girls who man the station with male combat soldiers and I explained to them that the most effective force for the job was already in place. I supervise the girls in their work in real time…Much of the time, the outpost is under heavy fire."

"To see them sitting in the fortified structure, focused on identifying, and helping the ships' crews, makes me truly proud. Their main job in the battle is ongoing communication with air, land and sea forces, cooperation that is important cooperation both to foil attacks and to assist our forces serving in mortal danger in order to protect residents of the north," he continued.

The Ynet crew watched for two hours, up close, as the girls and their officers, who have already participated in several successful operations in enemy territory, continued their intensive work.

Despite the successes, the fighting continues - shift leaders and deputy shit leaders work 12 hours straight before earning a break and controllers work six hours shifts, staring at the shoreline and border fence, instructing naval teams in various operations and guiding them back to Israeli shores with achievements and, more importantly, with no casualties.

"It's like we're in a closed ship, only without the rocking of the waves," Kinreich concludes. "We're closed off in this room and working around the clock in a closed area – determined to win this battle."

(08.06.06, 22:16)


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Israel
KEYWORDS: 2006israelwar; banglist; draftme; feminism; friskmeplease; girlswithguns; hizballah; idfgirls; israel; israelidefenseforce; isurrender; signmeup; terror
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To: jpsb

I agree.


41 posted on 08/06/2006 3:22:16 PM PDT by Basel2005
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To: caspera
The mother lode of photos of Israeli women soldiers

Wow. The mother lode indeed. And a big "thank you!" to whomever tailored their pants! They seem to fit quite well.

42 posted on 08/06/2006 3:33:31 PM PDT by Drew68
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To: JOHN ADAMS

It is a sacrifice, but I volunteer to be the lone male sationed with these IDF women.

Purely to help them relax.

Kinda a USO entertainment thing. Kinda.


43 posted on 08/06/2006 3:54:53 PM PDT by MonroeDNA (Look for the Union label--on the tunnel ceiling as it smashes your car!)
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To: JOHN ADAMS
Allah to a recently killed terrorist:

"You were killed by a Jewish woman and you're asking about virgins?"

44 posted on 08/06/2006 4:01:19 PM PDT by blam
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To: caspera
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

45 posted on 08/06/2006 4:45:37 PM PDT by Chode (American Hedonist ©®)
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To: JOHN ADAMS

My brother visited Israel in January. He has since tried to get on with the IDF as a Gentile Dog. Failing that, I believe he is trying to get back to Haifa or Tel Aviv. Girls with guns will do it every time.


46 posted on 08/06/2006 4:48:09 PM PDT by steveyp
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To: Crazieman
Dang, I don't know how to post pics, but the perfect caption would be:

Ladies, Get Your Girl On!!

47 posted on 08/06/2006 4:59:31 PM PDT by blu (People, for God's sake, think for yourselves)
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To: fso301

Why am I so old


48 posted on 08/06/2006 5:07:32 PM PDT by MilspecRob (Most people don't act stupid, they really are.)
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To: MonroeDNA

I notice that many of you guys seem to be having trouble spelling as you comment on this thread. :^) Slow down already.


49 posted on 08/06/2006 5:14:10 PM PDT by pepperdog
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To: Basel2005
In that alternative universe, you're also far richer than Bill Gates and Prince Charles is your butler. :-)

LOL!

50 posted on 08/06/2006 5:23:01 PM PDT by fso301
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To: JOHN ADAMS



51 posted on 08/06/2006 5:25:31 PM PDT by Fiddlstix (Warning! This Is A Subliminal Tagline! Read it at your own risk!(Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: Crazieman

Yeah, I have got to visit Israel.

Thinking the same thing. But how do those girls get any info from those screens since they are all pixelated?


52 posted on 08/06/2006 5:31:43 PM PDT by FastCoyote
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To: jpsb

Yes, God's blessed them once. And all kidding aside, let's hope he blesses them too by keeping them safe.


53 posted on 08/06/2006 6:12:03 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (Civilization and democracy are under attack in Israel. Stand by her.)
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To: wyattearp

Yes, make love not war!


54 posted on 08/06/2006 6:13:33 PM PDT by elhombrelibre (Civilization and democracy are under attack in Israel. Stand by her.)
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To: Crazieman

Great article and realy cute girls to boot.It occured to me the men in muslim countries would croak before they'd allow women to run a military control center.Say's alot about the differences in the cultures.


55 posted on 08/06/2006 7:29:06 PM PDT by Thombo2
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To: caspera

Someone should have titled this article, "Why We Fight." ;)


56 posted on 08/06/2006 7:32:48 PM PDT by Uncle Vlad
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To: fso301

That girl is simply gorgeous.

57 posted on 08/06/2006 7:35:35 PM PDT by COEXERJ145 (Free Republic is Currently Suffering a Pandemic of “Bush Derangement Syndrome.”)
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To: caspera

Cute girl.Excellent contrast.


58 posted on 08/06/2006 7:53:19 PM PDT by Thombo2
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