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The fifth Iron Dome missile defense battery is operated by Israeli Army reservists 3011124

Israeli Army IDF Iron Dome air defence system

Friday, November 30, 2012, 09:24 AM

The fifth Iron Dome missile defense battery is operated by Israeli Army reservists.

The fifth Iron Dome missile defense battery, which was installed during Operation Pillar of Defense, has so far been operated by reservists. The Air Defense Formation is preparing to begin assigning soldiers in their regular service to operate the newest battery of the Iron Dome anti-missile defense system, which has so far been operated by IDF reservists.

Iron Dome battery in Ashkelon which intercepted approximately 8 rockets and Grad missiles launched from the Gaza Strip since its deployment on April 4th. (Credit photo IDF)

The location of the battery may change from time to time, in accordance with future scenarios and operational needs.

The Air Defense Formation is in the process of acquiring additional Iron Dome batteries and integrating them in the field. "We are shortening the timeframe in order to adjust to the operational reality that is changing before our eyes," Col. Tzika Haimovich, commander of the IAF's Active Defense Wing, recently told Bamahane magazine. He added that the Iron Dome is advancing "in accordance with the experience of the past year and a half since the system first became operational."

The Air Defense Formation's challenges are not limited to the Gaza Strip. In accordance with the IDF's situation assessment, the Formation is preparing for multi-regional threats from north to south. "The Iron Dome is just one piece of the puzzle, which includes other systems such as the Arrow at the highest layer, and in the not-so-distant future also the Magic Wand," concluded. Col. Haimovich.