The unannounced emergency call-up of two IDF combat companies was deemed a success, a move deemed necessary by IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz, realizing that the military must evaluate the response of reserve duty forces. Ganz was extremely pleased to report that 90% of the soldiers appeared and 100% of the officers, showing the high motivation among combat duty reservists.

In this case, in a rare scenario, the soldiers and officers were unaware they were responding to a training exercise, permitting the military to get a real picture of current realities.

The exercise not only involved response time, but opening emergency store houses and taking equipments supply facilities to sign out equipment. In short, soldiers were taken to the battle ready stage in both the northern and central commands.

Officials stressed that the exercise was not due to any specific threats, but more the realization of the existential threats that exist, and the need to evaluate the response time of troops should the need arise for an emergency call-up.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)