“‘The line of contact’ is our flagship project, designed to upgrade infrastructure at the outposts and significantly improve the quality and service experience of the fighter.” This is what Lt. Col. Motia Davez, head of the construction and infrastructure branch in the Logistics Division of the Israeli Air Force, who leads the renovation operation in the IDF outposts on the front lines, says.
Dezve (38), who lives in Ma’ar, enlisted as a reserve in the IDF. After completing civil engineering studies at the Technion, he qualified as a civil engineer and later graduated with a master’s degree in business administration. During his 15 years of service in the construction and infrastructure industry, he held a series of command positions, including project manager. “I gained a wealth of experience in unique projects, including the establishment of the new Julis camp, as commander of a construction area in central command and moving bases to the south of the country,” he says.
“If my consideration was only financial, in citizenship my salary would be higher. But I like the challenges in the complex projects, and we also have a tradition in our family of serving in the IDF, we see it as a mission.” His brother, Dr. Maher Dazef, was killed in the Shyyat disaster in September 1997, while he was with a force of Shyyat fighters in an operational activity in Lebanon. The force encountered an ambush, and after a battle with the terrorists and prolonged rescue attempts, another 11 fighters fell.
In his current role as head of the construction and infrastructure branch, he is leading the “contact line” project.
“We touch the vital infrastructures and carry out a facelift to the IDF outposts in all sectors – in Eilat and the Arabah, in the Gaza Strip, in Yosh, in the Jordan Valley and north of the border of Lebanon and Syria,” he says. “The goal is to take care of the warrior at the edge and things that enhance the experience and the quality of the service.” Emphaz says that the works are carried out in accordance with the findings of precise surveys, which were conducted among commanders and fighters in the outposts.
“It was important for us to know what interests the fighter and we planned the works according to the findings”, he explains. “We provide a response to all the premises of the outpost. This includes complete renovation or addition of residences as needed, renovations in hundreds of toilet cubicles and showers and additions as needed, upgrading electrical infrastructure and creating advanced gyms for fighters.
“The desire is to allow the soldier to sleep optimally and perform his tasks in better conditions.” At the same time as the renovation and upgrading works, actions are also being taken to improve the visibility of the outpost and its surroundings. “We have improved the quality and experience of the service among the soldiers, and visibility is also very important in the whole complex,” he notes.
“The experience of the quality of service at the outpost is very important. Fighters change and every year about 8,000 fighters serve in the outposts. It is important for us to give them the best conditions, and to look in the eyes of the warrior. When a soldier feels that he is getting a quality place, the feeling of his service experience improves, and this also affects the effectiveness of his service. Since the beginning of the ‘line of contact’ in 2021, we have already completed 17 outposts,” he adds, “and 17 more outposts are in the implementation stages. This is a multi-year plan, and we will reach all the outposts. The IDF treats the issue in a very thorough and professional manner.”