IAF, IDF Special Forces Held Joint Training Exercise with Cyprus
Air and ground forces from both countries participated in the drill, which was aimed at maintaining the readiness of the forces for any emergency
IsraelDefense
| 11/12/2017
Photo: IDF
The Israeli Air Force and IDF Special Forces concluded last Thursday a four-day-long joint training exercise with Cyprus. The exercise was preceded by an IAF helicopter deployment to Cyprus in June, which was performed in cooperation with the Cyprus Air Force. The participating combatants were transported to Cyprus on a number of platforms – "Re'em" (Boeing 707), "Karnaf" (Hercules C-130), "Shimshon" (Super Hercules C-130J), "Yas'ur" (CH-53 Sea Stallion), and "Yanshuf" (Black Hawk).
In the air, the exercise was led by the "Leaders of the Night" Squadron, which operates "Yas'ur" helicopters, and included the four IAF transport helicopter squadrons, three heavy transport squadrons, a UAV squadron, and SAR Unit 669. The participating ground forces included the "Oketz" (Sting) Unit, the "Yahalom" (Diamond) Unit, the "Rochev Shamayim" (Sky Rider) Unit and the Medical Corps.
On Sunday, IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin visited Cyprus. During his visit, he met with the Commander of the Cyprus Air Forces, Brig. Gen. Gabriel Dimitrou, and participated in a "Yas'ur" helicopter sortie as part of the exercise. "The exercise is made up of three aspects," said Maj. Gen. Norkin. "The first is strengthening our ties with countries in the Mediterranean Basin. The second is strengthening the cooperation between the IAF and IDF Special Forces. The third is improving the special operators' capabilities in unfamiliar territories – the closest we can get to a state of war."
"The most important thing in an operational flight is the flight foundations," stated Lt. Col. Ben, Commander of the "Leaders of the Night" Squadron. "Here, we experience a foundational training in a number of aspects: unfamiliar territory, night-time and changes along the way."
"Cyprus is similar to Israel and its neighboring countries in the geographical aspect, so the exercise is relevant," said Lt. Col. Ben. "The exercise prepared us for combat in the topographical aspect, and in the advanced operational aspects of flight. When the pilots took off for a mission, they were familiar with its general characteristics. But while performing the mission, they discovered new details about the scenario."
The "Yas'ur" (CH53) and "Yanshuf" (Black-Hawk) helicopters rehearsed long-range force transportation from Israel, transporting forces into the field, movement in enemy territory and exiting it. In addition, alongside SAR Unit 669 operators, the helicopters trained for downed pilot SAR in enemy territory, casualty evacuation and SAR missions in which they faced aggressor squads.
"Special forces have a unique need for aerial response. Therefore, an IAF representative joins the forces and helps them formulate operational plans that suit the IAF’s capabilities. This exercise is an example for the way this cooperation is reflected in the field," explained Lt. Col. Omer, an IAF representative in IDF Special Forces Units. "One of the unique parts of this exercise is that all of its planning, both ground and aerial, was performed mutually. Throughout the exercise, we examined the Special Forces’ operation concepts. In the aerial aspect, they focus on UAV operation and onboarding combatants on transport aircraft and helicopters. We also simulated fighter aircraft operation," Lt. Col. Omer added. "The main challenge, beyond improving the cooperation between air and ground, is that every force that participates in the exercise will experience a high-quality training exercise on the individual level – as a commander in the field or captain in the cockpit."
In addition to transport and attack helicopters, the UAV and Reconnaissance Divisions also participated in the exercise with the "First UAV" Squadron and the "First" Squadron. "The UAV Division’s main goal in the exercise was to partner with and escort the ground forces," emphasized Lt. Col. Arik, Commander of the "First UAV" Squadron. "Through our participation in the exercise, our operators acquainted themselves with the participating Special Forces, expanded their knowledge of ground maneuvers, and faced challenges that they will face in war."
The "Tzofit" (Beechcraft King Air B-200) cooperated with the Cypriot Air Force’s 450th Attack Helicopter Squadron and performed attack helicopter direction sorties via "Tzofit." IAF heavy transport aircraft also performed a wide variety of missions such as force transportation, aerial refueling, navigation, and for the first time in Cyprus, supply airlifts and force parachuting.
IAF transport helicopter squadrons train with Special Forces units on a regular basis, and this most recent occurrence took the cooperation to new heights. Lt. Col. Ben explained how it all began: "We noticed that a Special Forces exercise synchronized with our exercise in Cyprus, so we decided to combine them and created a mutual training exercise that benefited both sides."
The article was originally published on the IAF website
Air and ground forces from both countries participated in the drill, which was aimed at maintaining the readiness of the forces for any emergency
Photo: IDF
The Israeli Air Force and IDF Special Forces concluded last Thursday a four-day-long joint training exercise with Cyprus. The exercise was preceded by an IAF helicopter deployment to Cyprus in June, which was performed in cooperation with the Cyprus Air Force. The participating combatants were transported to Cyprus on a number of platforms – "Re'em" (Boeing 707), "Karnaf" (Hercules C-130), "Shimshon" (Super Hercules C-130J), "Yas'ur" (CH-53 Sea Stallion), and "Yanshuf" (Black Hawk).
In the air, the exercise was led by the "Leaders of the Night" Squadron, which operates "Yas'ur" helicopters, and included the four IAF transport helicopter squadrons, three heavy transport squadrons, a UAV squadron, and SAR Unit 669. The participating ground forces included the "Oketz" (Sting) Unit, the "Yahalom" (Diamond) Unit, the "Rochev Shamayim" (Sky Rider) Unit and the Medical Corps.
On Sunday, IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin visited Cyprus. During his visit, he met with the Commander of the Cyprus Air Forces, Brig. Gen. Gabriel Dimitrou, and participated in a "Yas'ur" helicopter sortie as part of the exercise. "The exercise is made up of three aspects," said Maj. Gen. Norkin. "The first is strengthening our ties with countries in the Mediterranean Basin. The second is strengthening the cooperation between the IAF and IDF Special Forces. The third is improving the special operators' capabilities in unfamiliar territories – the closest we can get to a state of war."
"The most important thing in an operational flight is the flight foundations," stated Lt. Col. Ben, Commander of the "Leaders of the Night" Squadron. "Here, we experience a foundational training in a number of aspects: unfamiliar territory, night-time and changes along the way."
"Cyprus is similar to Israel and its neighboring countries in the geographical aspect, so the exercise is relevant," said Lt. Col. Ben. "The exercise prepared us for combat in the topographical aspect, and in the advanced operational aspects of flight. When the pilots took off for a mission, they were familiar with its general characteristics. But while performing the mission, they discovered new details about the scenario."
The "Yas'ur" (CH53) and "Yanshuf" (Black-Hawk) helicopters rehearsed long-range force transportation from Israel, transporting forces into the field, movement in enemy territory and exiting it. In addition, alongside SAR Unit 669 operators, the helicopters trained for downed pilot SAR in enemy territory, casualty evacuation and SAR missions in which they faced aggressor squads.
"Special forces have a unique need for aerial response. Therefore, an IAF representative joins the forces and helps them formulate operational plans that suit the IAF’s capabilities. This exercise is an example for the way this cooperation is reflected in the field," explained Lt. Col. Omer, an IAF representative in IDF Special Forces Units. "One of the unique parts of this exercise is that all of its planning, both ground and aerial, was performed mutually. Throughout the exercise, we examined the Special Forces’ operation concepts. In the aerial aspect, they focus on UAV operation and onboarding combatants on transport aircraft and helicopters. We also simulated fighter aircraft operation," Lt. Col. Omer added. "The main challenge, beyond improving the cooperation between air and ground, is that every force that participates in the exercise will experience a high-quality training exercise on the individual level – as a commander in the field or captain in the cockpit."
In addition to transport and attack helicopters, the UAV and Reconnaissance Divisions also participated in the exercise with the "First UAV" Squadron and the "First" Squadron. "The UAV Division’s main goal in the exercise was to partner with and escort the ground forces," emphasized Lt. Col. Arik, Commander of the "First UAV" Squadron. "Through our participation in the exercise, our operators acquainted themselves with the participating Special Forces, expanded their knowledge of ground maneuvers, and faced challenges that they will face in war."
The "Tzofit" (Beechcraft King Air B-200) cooperated with the Cypriot Air Force’s 450th Attack Helicopter Squadron and performed attack helicopter direction sorties via "Tzofit." IAF heavy transport aircraft also performed a wide variety of missions such as force transportation, aerial refueling, navigation, and for the first time in Cyprus, supply airlifts and force parachuting.
IAF transport helicopter squadrons train with Special Forces units on a regular basis, and this most recent occurrence took the cooperation to new heights. Lt. Col. Ben explained how it all began: "We noticed that a Special Forces exercise synchronized with our exercise in Cyprus, so we decided to combine them and created a mutual training exercise that benefited both sides."
The article was originally published on the IAF website
