Military establishes 1st Israeli Air Force technicians unit for ultra-Orthodox men

The IDF says it has established a first-ever Israeli Air Force technicians unit for male members of the ultra-Orthodox community, allowing them to maintain their religious lifestyle while serving in the military.

The unit is based out of one of the 105th Squadron’s reinforced aircraft shelters at the Ramat David Airbase in northern Israel. The squadron operates F-16 fighter jets.

Yesterday, 26 Haredi soldiers completed their training and are now certified “level A” technicians for the F-16.

The technicians will “ensure the operational competence of the planes and the weapon systems,” the military says.

It is the first time the military has carried out a training course for level A technicians for the Haredi community, and it says that “it is part of significant processes in the IDF that are designed to integrate ultra-Orthodox youth into the army, while making the necessary adjustments to maintain their religious lifestyle, such as separate accommodation, strict kashrut (Jewish dietary laws) and the establishment of a synagogue in the hardened aircraft shelter.”

The military adds that the new unit is a “groundbreaking pilot project, the goal of which is to integrate ultra-Orthodox youth into military service, while meeting the needs of the IDF.”

As part of expanding the draft of ultra-Orthodox men, the IDF has been working to open new units — and potentially even a separate induction center — for Haredi troops, in addition to the existing ones.