Shaldag Unit

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Shaldag


caption=The Shaldag Insignia
dates= 1974-Present
country= flagcountry|Israel
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branch= Israeli Air Force
type= Commando
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size= ~40-50
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garrison=Palmachim Airbase
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Shaldag (Hebrew: יחידת שלדג, "Kingfisher Unit") (also known as Unit 5101) is an Israeli Air Force commando unit that carries out counter-terrorism missions, hostage rescue operations and reconnaissance missions.

Shaldag works from Palmachim Airbase.Cite web
title = Palmachim / Yavne - Israel Airfields
accessdate = 2007-12-07
url = http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/israel/palmachim.htm] The unit consists of 40-50 soldiers who work in teams of 8-9. Shaldag soldiers carry M16 or M4A1 assault rifles fitted with the M203 grenade launcher. For special missions, they carry Sig-Sauer or Glock 9mm series pistols and Mauser SR 82/66 sniper riflesCite web
title = Israel's Unit 5101
accessdate = 2007-12-07
url = http://home.blarg.net/~whitet/shaldag.htm] .

Shaldag was founded in 1974, after the Yom Kippur War. Initially operating as a Sayeret Matkal reserve company, it was eventually transferred to the Air Force.

Known operations

* Operation Moses
* Lebanon conflict: Operation Accountability and Operation Grapes of Wrath, for which it was awarded the Chief of Staff Award
* Second Lebanon War: Operation Sharp and SmoothCite web
last = Katz
first = Yaakov
title = USATODAY.com - Israeli commando missions come out of shadows
accessdate = 2007-12-07
url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-08-13-commando-missions_x.htm]

References