Oketz

Israeli soldier of the Oketz unit with an explosive dog during an exercise

The Oketz unit ( Hebrew יחידת עוקץ, Jechidat Oketz , German  sting ) is a specialized unit of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), ( Sajeret ). It was founded in 1954. The first in command was Yossi Labock. The unit specializes in the training and use of service dogs in military operations. This includes the search for explosives , mines , weapons and ammunition , the search for victims in collapsed buildings or the use as a fighting dog against terrorists and attackers.

The Malinois , a variety of the Belgian Shepherd Dog ( FCI Group 1, Section 1, Standard No. 15 ), the German Shepherd Dog and Rottweiler - which were previously used in the unit - are preferred as dogs , especially because they are due to their short coat are less sensitive to heat. Oketz's dog handlers are assigned to other special units if necessary . The unit is also used in disasters abroad. Training of the dog begins at the age of one and a half and lasts for 16 months.

A dog cemetery has been set up in the Oketz base, where dogs that have died in action are buried. The respective dog handler immediately receives a new dog for training.

Web links

Commons : Oketz  - album with pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Oketz Unit , IDF. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
2. ↑ The IDF's Attack Dogs , Israeldefense, September 22, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2018.