A Message to Iran? Israeli, US Special Forces Conclude Joint Exercise

The IDF’s naval commando unit Shayetet 13 led a joint training exercise with US Army Special Forces that simulated various scenarios, including a takeover of a hijacked ship and extraction of forces from enemy territory

A Message to Iran? Israeli, US Special Forces Conclude Joint Exercise

Shayetet 13 and US Army Special Forces during a takover drill (Photo: IDF)

The elite commando unit of the Israeli Navy, Shayetet (Flotilla) 13, recently concluded a joint drill with the US Army Special Forces, the IDF announced Tuesday.

Dubbed “Nobel Rose,” the exercise simulated various scenarios, including a takeover of a hijacked ship and extraction of forces from enemy territory.

The exercise was led by Shayetet 13 and commanded by a joint headquarters of the IDF Depth Corps and the relevant US HQ.

The drill demonstrated advanced and varied capabilities of the Israeli commando unit, including taking over a vessel by parachuting from a plane, climbing, rappelling, sniping, and medical evacuation. In addition, the forces deployed advanced weaponry and vessels. 

According to the IDF, the purpose of the Nobel Rose drill was to deepen cooperation and professional discourse between the IDF Special Forces and their US counterparts. The drill was planned as part of the IDF’s annual training schedule, the military said.

“In recent years, the Israeli Navy has dealt with varying threats that require training for complex scenarios that prepare it to deal with changing and unpredictable situations,” the IDF said in a statement. “Cooperation with foreign militaries, and specifically with the US Armed Forces, bringing about mutual learning and the strengthening of professional relationships that enhance both militaries' readiness.”

“The Nobel Rose Exercise 2019 is another testament to the deep cooperation between the IDF and the United States Army at both the troop and command level,” the military added.

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Photos: IDF

[Source: The Jerusalem Post, Israel National News]