Home Front Command

The 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 centers of civilian population faced significant threat. The command is responsible for civil defense: preparing the civilian population for a conflict or disaster, assisting the population during the crisis, and contributing to post-crisis reconstruction.

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

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 Uri Gordin.

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

Together the districts field 26 rescue battalions, 13 NBC-defense battalions, 14 military hospitals, 8 light infantry battalions and 6 logistic units manned mostly by reservists. Additionally the active duty "Alon" Brigade fields the following units:

  • 489th "Kedem"/"East" Search and Rescue Battalion
  • 498th "Shahar"/"Dawn" Search and Rescue Battalion
  • 894th "Tavor" Search and Rescue Battalion
  • 668th "Ram" Search and Rescue Battalion
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