The IDF's 215th Fire Brigade, commanded by Col. R., is preparing for a major operational upgrade expected to reshape ground warfare as it marks 70 years since its establishment.
Founded during the 1956 Sinai Campaign, the brigade has lost 170 soldiers over its history. It took part in the defensive battles and the crossing of the Suez Canal during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and has played a significant role in the sustained fighting of recent years.
As part of the lessons learned from the war, the 215th Brigade has been selected as the first Artillery Corps brigade to pilot the establishment of "attack battalions," with the approval of IDF Ground Forces Commander Maj. Gen. Nadav Lotan.
The initiative will bring precision fire capabilities and ground support under a single dedicated battalion, tasked with supporting maneuvering brigade combat teams while also conducting independent operations to eliminate threats.
The brigade is also finalizing the establishment of a reconnaissance and attack unit made up of reservists from the IDF's multidimensional Ghost Unit, who are expected to prepare for operations in the Gaza Strip in the near future.
The reservists will operate various types of drones using different methods, including specialized classified weapons systems and supporting technologies.
Integrating Ghost Unit reservists into the new attack battalions is expected to enhance the IDF's offensive capabilities during both ground operations and routine military activity.
Delivering firepower on all fronts
According to Artillery Corps data, the 215th Fire Brigade has recorded unprecedented operational figures over the past three years, particularly during the continuous fighting against Hamas and Hezbollah since October 7.
During that period, the brigade has killed approximately 3,000 terrorists in Gaza and Lebanon, fired more than 100,000 artillery shells, launched dozens of Bar precision rockets, and carried out thousands of aerial fire barrages using unmanned aircraft.
The brigade's Sky Rider drone unit has also accumulated tens of thousands of flight hours, serving as the primary force responsible for identifying and confirming targets for the IDF's Southern Command.
At the start of the war, the brigade spearheaded the IDF's entry into the Gaza Strip during the ground offensive.
As part of the opening assault, it supported advancing forces with a rolling artillery barrage of about 7,000 shells over 48 hours, allowing the division's troops to enter the area safely.
Speaking to Walla about the changes and the establishment of the new attack battalions, the brigade commander said, "We know how to deliver firepower from every domain, whether from the air, sea, or land, primarily from the land."
Brigade 215 brought IDF into Gaza ground maneuver
Reflecting on the actions of the brigade's soldiers during the October 7 attacks, the commander said, "The Erez team in Kissufim went out to fight alongside the Golani Brigade's 51st Battalion, while the second team, the Nimri team, fought in Nahal Oz."
He also recounted the story of Capt. Eden Nimri, a Sky Rider team commander who was killed while defending female observation soldiers at the Nahal Oz military base.
Nimri fought until she ran out of ammunition while protecting the soldiers inside a fortified shelter. She was killed when terrorists threw grenades into the shelter after her ammunition was exhausted.
Describing the brigade's role in the opening stages of the IDF's ground offensive in Gaza, the commander said, "It was undoubtedly Brigade 215 that brought the IDF into the ground maneuver in Gaza. Its rolling barrage was insane, 7,000 shells in 48 hours."
"That's why there wasn't a single terrorist waiting for the Nahal Brigade, the 401st Brigade, or Givati, apart from encounters at a distance."
Addressing the brigade's operational precision and its adherence to ethical standards during the fighting in Gaza, he said, "The brigade operates in a precise, surgical, and ethical manner, striking only terrorists, and that is a source of great pride for the people. You can see the damage inflicted on Hamas, and you can see the damage to Hamas's morale."