Right now, a new Combat Intelligence Battalion has been established: Battalion 909 (‘Baz’). It operates under Division 96, and its female combat soldiers and observers have already been deployed to a sector that will now receive dedicated coverage – the Eastern Front.
There, they will be responsible for a very diverse terrain: cities like Jericho, local villages, a wide and complex northern area, and a southern area – which is actually a sea (the Dead Sea). Each requires tailored operational patterns.
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“We must remember that although we are on a peace border, the area is still very active, and requires a force that knows how to thwart infiltration attempts or criminal activity – which could quickly escalate into hostile terrorist activity (פח”ע),” states the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. M. “Even at this stage, additional lessons from October 7th and surprise war scenarios are integrated into the battalion. This is reflected both in the number of observation posts and in the transition from an intelligence unit to an exposure-attack unit.”
The battalion is actually composed of observers in intelligence command posts and combat intelligence soldiers deployed in the field – all of whom become experts in their sector. The first combat company to be established is the ‘Vertical’ company, which will operate the ‘Wonderbee’ system, a step above a regular drone in terms of capabilities.
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And why is it important to combine both stationary and mobile observation, and not convert the entire toolkit to the ‘Wonderbee’? “The ability of stationary posts to cover large areas using radar and observation is irreplaceable, and this is heard often in situation assessments. These intelligence command posts are primarily involved in defense and stand like a guard on the border, so that the mobile intelligence teams can be freed up for deeper missions.”
Some of the female soldiers here came to 909 from Battalion 727, or were previously designated for Syria. Now, starting last March, the enlistment path is direct and leads straight to training in the theater. “In the first week, we started with the fundamentals of the place, understanding the significant events that occurred here before, and connecting with the various forces present in the field. In the second week, we dealt with combat procedures and operational orders. The third was dedicated to open-field exercises, which culminated in a symbolic march – 9.09 km to Mount Gadron observation post.”
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Ultimately, establishing a new framework in the IDF is a gradual process that, while requiring time, also allows for much refinement and adaptation along the way. “As of this point in time, when the battalion officially begins its operations, our command consists of a Battalion Commander, Deputy Battalion Commander, Operations Officer, Chief of Staff Officer, and Adjutant, commanding female soldiers, combat soldiers, and combat support personnel,” shares the Battalion Commander.
“This means the ability to shape and influence here dramatically: from the operational concept, which dictates the location of companies, to the types of missions and the equipment used. Today, a unit that only knows how to identify, and takes time to direct another fire element, becomes less relevant to the campaign. Therefore, we want to develop the battalion towards lethality from the outset, so that it truly knows how to execute the entire chain – deployment, detection, and closing the loop.”
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That influence also extends to the choice of the number ‘909’: “In most intelligence battalions, the first and last digits are the same, it’s a kind of fixed pattern. And I thought, ‘What is our battalion compass, why was the battalion established?’ If you look east on a compass, you get 90 degrees. And within that, Highway 90 also fits in, which runs along the entire sector and is a vital asset. In any case, few intelligence battalions start with the digit 9.”
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And when Lt. Col. M. is asked about the first mission the female soldiers went on, he already knows what it will look like: “We are generating positive intelligence, which is the opposite of defense – not waiting for the element to reach the line, but anticipating it through in-depth characterization of the area. Knowing who is moving around there and when, if operating hours change or the number of people is abnormal. Once you know the routine, it’s easier to notice if something is about to happen, and prepare.”
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