Ceremony reopening the 139th aerial defense battalion. (Photo: IDF Spokesperson)
Yesterday (Monday), the Air Force conducted a ceremony reconstituting the 139th Air Defense Battalion, in the presence of Air Force commander Major General Tomer Bar, Aerial Defense Array commander Brig.-Gen. Gilad Biran, as well as former and current commanders of the unit.
The 139th was originally charged with operating Hawk and Yahalom defense systems and was disbanded in 2021.
Following October 7 and the subsequent missile and rocket threats in both north and south, the army decided it needed to rebuild the 139th to further strengthen Israel's aerial defenses. The battalion will work with the Iron Dome system.