What it’s about
In a remarkable finding half a century later, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Special Forces unit, Shaldag, has discovered a rotor belonging to an Israel Air Force (IAF) helicopter that tragically crashed in 1974. This crash occurred during a mission to rescue paratroopers wounded in the Syrian Hermon region.
Why it matters
The recovery of the helicopter rotor signifies a step towards honoring the memories of the fallen soldiers and the historical commitments of the IDF to its missions. Discovering remnants from the crash serves to further solidify the deep connection between Israel’s military history and its ongoing operations to safeguard its heroes’ legacies.
The details
The incident from April 27, 1974, involved an Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon from the IAF 114 Squadron. The helicopter crashed during a critical rescue mission resulting in the heartbreaking loss of six crew members: Maj. Golan Levy, Lieutenant Amir Amit, Staff-Sergeant Jacob Berhnheim, Staff-Sergeant Yaakov Roll, Major Dr. Ahikam Avni Feinstein, and Sergeant Meir Rosenstruch. Their ultimate sacrifice remains an integral part of the nation’s memory. All were laid to rest in Israel with full honors.
The ongoing recovery mission
The mission by Unit 669 not only helped in recovering the rotor but also sought to confirm the absence of personal artifacts from the fallen heroes, reinforcing the commitment to leaving no stone unturned where the fallen are concerned.
Additional Background
The helicopter crash occurred shortly after another tragic event involving IAF helicopters on April 19, when a collision at Mahanaim airfield resulted in the tragic loss of eight soldiers. These incidents underscore the inherent risks faced by Israel’s courageous air force as they carry out their duties.
This story was first published on jpost.com.