Israel's Shayetet 13 commando unit gets a new commander

Israel's elite naval commando unit Shayetet 13 on Tuesday received a new commander, Colonel "R" who was introduced during a special ceremony at the Atlit Naval Base in northern Israel.

"R" was given command by outgoing commander Colonel "S" at the ceremony in Atlit. "S" has served as the unit commander for three years and is leaving to begin his academic studies.

Present at the ceremony was Navy chief Vice Adm. Ram Rotberg, who said, "The Navy is required to be in every place where there is a threat to the security and safety of the Israeli people. There has been no mission you have not carried out, no enemy that has evaded your grasp, and through this you have displayed bravery under fire that does not cease to impress," Rotberg told Shayetet 13 commandos.

The vice admiral also thanked outgoing commander "S" for this his service. "Under your leadership, Shayetet 13 was the IDF's vanguard," Rotberg told "S."

During his term as commander, "S" built an impressive record of successful missions in dozens of discrete operations carried out on different frontiers. Among them, "S" led the unit's commandeering of boats which attempted to break the international blockade on Gaza, including the Mavi Marmara. Shayetet 13 commandos raided the armed Mavi Marmara ship in May 2010 in an operation that left nine Turkish nationals dead. "S" told Israel Hayom in a special interview two months ago that in his eyes the Mavi Marmara operation was one of his "most glorious."

The outgoing commander enlisted in 1990 and fulfilled a variety of roles within Shayetet 13 before becoming commander, among them team commander and logistics sergeant for the commandos. "S" also served as a reconnaissance company commander, a battalion commander, and brigade commander both for an active duty and a reserve brigade.