Since the beginning of the “Swords of Iron” war sparked by the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre, and “Operation Northern Arrows” against Hezbollah in Lebanon, IDF reservists have been serving on the frontlines, away from their homes and families for months at a time in defense of the nation.
One particular soldier, Warrant Officer (res.) Tal Sion, a 25-year-old woman from Gush Etzion, was just given an 11-day “transitional leave” before discharge, after serving 531 consecutive days of reserve duty. Warrant officer is the IDF’s second-highest noncommissioned officer rank.
Sion, who shared her story with JNS, said, “On the morning of October 7, I was in my community for Simchat Torah. I remember not understanding why I was alone in the women’s section [at the synagogue]. After Shabbat, I realized the magnitude of the event. I immediately called in and got ready for reserve duty.”
Sion was sent north and assigned to oversee safety and security at the Sky Dew (Tal Shamayim) Airforce Base near the Golani Junction in the Lower Galilee.
“I was responsible for securing and protecting the [reconnaissance] Tal Shamayim balloon project from the ground,” she said.
(Sky Dew, or High Availability Aerostat System (HAAS), is a high-altitude missile-defense lighter-than-air aircraft. The radar system was developed by the Israel Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Missile Defense Agency.)
“After the outbreak of the war, we realized that one of the IDF’s most expensive systems had no protection at all, so they brought me in to set up a war room, to form patrol teams, to make sure no one takes photos, to see that the system would have enough aerial defense from [Israel’s] Iron Dome, and, of course, to protect the soldiers on the base from infiltration by terrorists.”
Sion elaborated, “My day-to-day tasks were to oversee everything related to safety and security. My team of reservists processed all the soldiers recruited for mandatory service through the official enlistment system, and afterward we enlisted ultra-Orthodox solders and trained them to be part of the teams. We trained them in shooting, counter-terror combat and more. We brought them combat equipment and they were on stand-by 24/7 under my command.”
She added, “I would conduct evaluations of the situation and provide instruction for the entire unit accordingly. I also coordinated with all security forces on stand-by in our area including the Border Police, fire fighters, intelligence officers and security officials.
Hezbollah attacks
Sion described the events of May 15, 2024, when Hezbollah in Lebanon launched two drones targeting her base. One of the drones directly hit the surveillance balloon, causing severe damage.
“The day I remember most, of course, is the day the observation balloon was hit. No one believed it would happen because they really had it very well guarded, and they promised us that the Iron Dome would protect it.
“I was in the war room when they phoned me and told us to get into the safe rooms, and thanks to our soldiers, we saved [the lives of] five people who were near the balloon when the UAV exploded.
“We saw it live on cameras, and I’m the only one who went out under missile fire to tell the firefighters to join us [in the safe room]. We worked all night trying to save the balloon, but to no avail,” she said.
On days when Sion was not on base, she was always on call.
“I was always available, even on Shabbat or in the middle of the night. I even remember once telling them that I wouldn’t be on base for four days in a row because I had an important test at university [she is completing degrees in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies and criminology], but I had to come in the middle of a Saturday night [April 13, 2024] because of the Iranian attack.
“So, when things get heated, like the assassination of [Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan] Nasrallah, I always rush to the base. The Air Force generally knows ahead of time when we’re to expect something to happen, so they get the people in the essential positions back on base.”
Where our strength lies
When asked about Israel’s policies and accomplishments in the war, Sion didn’t want to get into a political discussion, but said that at the top of her list was the Israeli people’s ability to unite for a common cause.
“I don’t believe it’s my place to criticize the military decisions with respect to the war, but I can say that because I had 45 soldiers serving under me, each at different stages of life, I can see where our strength lies.
“I had ultra-Orthodox soldiers over 40-years-old with children who just stopped their regular lives and did basic training like 18-year-olds just to give of themselves,” she said.
“So, I think we managed to reunite the nation, and it’s a pity that not everyone notices the people who are leaving their families, their studies and degrees, their work—just to give back to the country.
“And I think that bringing back the hostages and destroying our enemies would make for complete victory, but I don’t know whether it’s as achievable as it sounds. I think that we could have quiet from Hamas for a few years but we won’t manage to eradicate them.”
After finally getting a break following nearly a year-and-a-half of service, Sion is headed to Thailand for a much-deserved vacation. She’s said that once she returns home, she’ll decide whether she wants to sign up for more reserve duty while finishing up her degree. Eventually, “please God, I’d like to work at the Ministry of Defense and continue protecting the country,” she said.
“I am really glad I was able to give so much of myself in reserve duty. Each day I felt the satisfaction and the need to be there, even if it means doing work toward my degree on Zoom or writing assignments at midnight.
“I felt a real sense of mission and I don’t regret for one moment that my grades will be a bit lower, because I see how much my soldiers appreciate my work and how my senior commanders value and depend on me. Every day [in reserves] was gratifying and special,” Sion said.