ERETZ ISRAEL

The Paratroopers Brigade (Hebrew: חֲטִיבַת הַצַּנְחָנִים, Hativat HaTzanhanim), also known as the 35th Brigade, is a unit of paratroopers within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and forms a major part of the Infantry Corps. It has a history of carrying out special forces-style missions dating back to the 1950s. Serving in the brigade is voluntary and requires passing a one and a half-day physical test. The IDF has three reservist paratrooper brigades at any given time, consisting of personnel who served their mandatory service in the brigade, and who are mostly in their twenties (aside from officers). These are most likely the most highly trained reservist brigades in the IDF. The first commander of the Paratroopers Brigade was Ariel Sharon. (Paratrooper units are named after snakes). Units 101st "Cobra" Airborne Battalion 202nd "Viper" Airborne Battalion 890th "Echis" Airborne Battalion "Naja" Anti-Tank Company "Coluber" Engineer Company 5173rd "Taipan" Reconnaissance Company "Eryx" Signal Company http://www.zanhanim.org.il/show_item.asp?levelId=65090