OPERATION THUNDERBOLT

Description:

OPERATION THUNDERBOLT, the Israeli hostage rescue mission in Uganda in 1976 is one of history's most daring and successful Special Operations raids. Flying as low as 50 feet off the ground to avoid radar detection, four C-130 transports landed the Israeli force at Entebbe Airport while still maintaining the element of surprise. The assault element immediately drove towards the Terminal in a Mercedes and Land Rovers, a deception measure designed to replicate the Ugandan President's convoy. The assault killed 7 hijackers, 42 Ugandan soldiers and rescued 102 hostages but resulted in the assault commander Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan Netanyahu being shot and killed. Armored Personnel Carriers were also transported by the C-130s and they destroyed 11 MiG-17 fighter jets and the airport control tower as a retaliatory gesture.

PRIMAL Assessment:

LTCOL Netanyahu was the Commander of Sayeret Matkal, the top Israeli Special Operations unit, when he died leading the assault. Notably his brother Benjamin Netanyahu also served in the same unit and has been Prime Minister of Israel twice.