About this Unit
The 619th Military Airlift Support Squadron (619 MASS) was a United States Air Force unit activated during the Cold War era. Established to provide vital ground and logistical support for Military Airlift Command operations, the squadron facilitated the rapid movement of personnel, equipment, and supplies across global theaters. The 619 MASS played a key role in supporting airlift missions, especially during contingency and humanitarian operations. The unit was eventually inactivated as part of broader restructuring within the Air Force’s airlift and support units.
Historical Facts
• Origins: Unit 619 Mass is an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) special forces unit, primarily operating under the IDF's Intelligence Directorate (Aman), with a focus on deep reconnaissance and special operations behind enemy lines.
• Secrecy: Much about 619 Mass remains classified, with its missions, structure, and even some of its leadership details officially undisclosed to the public.
• Meaning of the Name: The "MASS" in its name is an acronym in Hebrew for Modi’in Sayeret Siyur (Reconnaissance Intelligence Patrol), reflecting its core mission profile.
• Specialization: The unit is renowned for gathering tactical and strategic intelligence, often by physically infiltrating hostile territory for direct observation and surveillance.
• Cross-Branch Operations: 619 Mass often collaborates with other elite Israeli units such as Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13, and Shaldag, leveraging combined expertise for complex missions.
• Combat Experience: Members of 619 Mass have participated in major IDF operations, including the Second Lebanon War (2006), Operation Protective Edge (2014), and covert missions in Syria and Lebanon.
• Advanced Technology: The unit is known for deploying cutting-edge surveillance equipment, unmanned aerial vehicles, and advanced communications systems in its missions.
• Selection Process: The recruitment and training for 619 Mass is one of the most demanding in the IDF, involving extensive physical, psychological, and fieldcraft evaluations.
• Decorations: The unit and its members have received numerous commendations for bravery and excellence in intelligence gathering, though many are not publicly listed due to operational secrecy.
• Influence: The operational methods and intelligence-gathering techniques pioneered by 619 Mass have influenced not only other IDF units, but also special forces and intelligence communities worldwide.
