Unit 669

669 (יחידת החילוץ והפינוי בהיטס 669,Yechidat Hilu'z Vehapinu'i Behethes 669; English: Airborne Rescue And Evacuation Unit 669) is the Israel Defense Forces heliborne medevac extraction unit, subordinate to the Special Air Forces Command of the Israeli Air Force. It is considered one of the IDF's premier elite units.

History
Unit 669 was founded in 1974, in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when an ad hoc medevac unit made some 5000 extractions. Its initial mandate was to extract and provide initial medical treatment to downed (and possibly injured) pilots beyond enemy lines. However, in later years the unit also participated in extraction of soldiers of other arms of the Israeli Defense Forces, especially Sayeret (Special Forces) fighters in operations beyond enemy lines and seamen in distress.

Training
Due to the possibility of having to fight their way to casualties beyond enemy lines, unit soldiers are highly trained in special forces tactics and become highly efficient ground soldiers in addition to their high level of paramedic training. Typically, their training and selection lasts 18 months. Courses that candidates must pass include:
 * Combat medics' course
 * Parachuting course in the IDF Parachuting School
 * Scuba Diving course
 * Counter-terrorism course in the IDF Counter-Terror Warfare School
 * Rappelling course
 * Rescue under harsh conditions
 * Navigation
 * Commanders' course

Upon completion of their training, unit soldiers are expected to sign on for an extra 16 months of service following their three-year mandatory service.

Component


The unit is composed of three flights:
 * Extraction, which has a company of infantrymen.
 * Evacuation, which has a company of airborne doctors, paramedics and nurses.
 * Technical support group.

Symbol
The Unit's logo is a winged, slinking, green-eyed, black cat. The Unit's warriors are subsequently sometimes referred to as "Cats" or "Flying Cats".

Notable 669 Figures

 * Former unit commander (1978-1980) Dr. Efraim Sneh, rose to become a Brigadier General, a Knesset member and government minister (Health; Transportation; deputy Defense Minister).
 * Noam Tur - Israeli model and celebrity.