The IDF's Arrow system was under intense activity during Israel's 12-day Operation Rising Lion against the Islamic Republic of Iran, the military said on Thursday.
"If you told me five years ago that we would experience launches of this magnitude and frequency, I would've never believed you," said Lieutenant S., a commander in the Arrow system's fighter division.
"The threats we face are immediate and require peak preparation. We are always on alert. The actions of the operator save lives, and in an extreme situation like this war, an air defense fighter is expected to go above and beyond: to step out of their comfort zone and handle all intensive activity.”
During the 12-day war with Iran, the military's Arrow Unit’s Missile Interception Management Center (MIMC) was on full alert and readiness, with the headquarters personnel, representatives from the technical branch, and air defense fighters all working together to address every launch heading towards Israeli territory.
“The achievements in this operation are credited not only to the fighters in the field but also to the technical system and the soldiers in the MIMC alike,” S. added.
"The whole process was a kind of baptism by fire. I feel that we learned a lot, both professionally and mentally. There is no greater sense of fulfillment than this. Morale is higher than usual, and we are very proud."
When interceptions fail
The IDF lieutenant also spoke about rare instances where interceptions fail, and coping with that failure becomes a topic of discussion in the unit.
“Unfortunately, the defense system isn’t airtight, and every impact penetrates deep into our hearts. The sense of family within the unit helps with the emotional toll — in the end, we understand each other best, and together we grow stronger and improve for next time. On one hand, we think a lot about home,” he shared.
“On the other hand, we must shut off those thoughts in real time in order to perform the task to the best of our ability. You feel that everything you’ve been trained to do throughout your service is finally being put into action."
Earlier this month, a US senior official told The Wall Street Journal that Israel was facing a shortage of Arrow missile interceptors, with the report adding that the United States has been aware of the issue for months and took steps to bolster Israel’s defense against missiles. This includes more US assets on land, sea, and air.