Home Front Command

Search and Rescue Unit of the Home Front Command rescue one of the earthquake victims in Haiti (2010)

Home Front Command soldiers at call-in station

The Israeli Home Front Command (Hebrew: פיקוד העורף‎‎, Pikud HaOref) is an Israel Defense Forces regional command, created in February 1992 following the Gulf War, which was the first war since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War in which centres of civilian population faced significant threat.

Until the establishment of the Command, responsibility for the Home Front fell under the Civilian Defense’s Chief Officer Corps Command and under Regional Defense. During that time, the three regional commands had their own home front commands. After the first Persian Gulf War, these organizations were unified and the Home Front Command was created.

This unit should not be confused with Unit 669. The Home Front Command includes a domestic search and rescue unit, primarily operating in times of natural disasters, while Unit 669 is the Israeli Air Force's Tactical Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) unit that operates behind enemy lines.

It is currently headed by Aluf Eyal Eisenberg.

Units and districts

• The Search and Rescue School (Bahad 16)
• The Northern District
• The Haifa District
• The Dan District
• The Central District
• The Jerusalem District
• The Southern District

And the active duty "Alon" Brigade, comprising the following battalions:

• "Shahar"/"Dawn" Search and Rescue Btn.
• "Kedem"/"East" Search and Rescue Btn.
• "Ram" Search and Rescue Btn.
• "Tavor" Search and Rescue Btn.

External links

• Home Front Command Official Website (English version)