36th Division (IDF)

The Israel Defense Forces 36th Armor Division, also known as the Ga'ash Formation, is the largest regular-service armor division in the IDF. It is subordinate to the Northern Regional Command.

The division was established in September 1954 and until 1958 was led by Aluf Avraham Yoffe. In those years, divisional commands were mission-based commands without organic forces, but rather with troops apportioned according to given missions. From 1958-1962, it was led by Aluf Zvi Zamir; from 1962-1965, by Aluf Uzi Narkiss; from 1965-1969, by Aluf Elad Peled.

During the Six-Day War, the division led the battles in northern Samaria, commanding the Barak Armored Brigade (then the 45th Armored Brigade), the 37th Brigade and forces from the 1st Brigade. Later, it commanded over the occupation of the southern Golan Heights. After the war, the division was led by Aluf Shmuel Gonen (Gorodish), from 1969-1972. From 1972-1974, it was led by then-Aluf Rafael Eitan.

During the Yom Kippur War, the division fought in the defensive battles over the northern Golan, and afterwards broke through into Syrian territory. During Israel's invasion of Lebanon in Operation Litani of 1978, the division fought in the eastern front. During the 1982 Lebanon War, it fought in the central front, then through the coastal route and onto the entrance of Beirut.

As of 2006, the division oversees the Golan Heights and includes the 7th Armoured Brigade and 188th 'Barak' Armoured Brigade. Its command is situated in the Yitzhak Camp, south of kibbutz Ein Ziyon. As of September 22, 2005, it is led by Brigadier-General Eliezer Reiter who replaced Brigadier-General Gershon Ha'Cohen.

Units

* 7th "Saar me-Golan"/"Storm from Golan" Armor Brigade
* 188th "Barak"/"Lightning" Armor Brigade
* 1st "Golani" Infantry Brigade
* "Merkavot ha-Esh"/"Chariots of Fire" (Reserve) Armor Brigade
* 609th "Alexandroni" (Reserve) Infantry Brigade
* "Golan" (Territorial) Brigade
* 212th "Golan" Artillery Regiment
** 334th Artillery Battalion “Ra’am/Thunder” (MLRS)
** 405th Artillery Battalion “Namer/Tiger” (M109A5)
** 411th Artillery Battalion “Keren/Horn” (M109A5)
** Target Acquisition Company
* Signal Battalion