IAF participating in joint exercise in Germany for 1st time

The strategically and historically significant participation in the two-week exercise provides the IAF with the opportunity to learn from other air forces and train in unfamiliar territory and challenging conditions 

IAF participating in joint exercise in Germany for 1st time

Photos (above and below): Amit Agronov, IAF  

The first joint exercise bringing together the IAF and the German Air Force kicks off on Monday in Germany. 

The IAF contingent will train for two weeks and practice various scenarios alongside counterparts from NATO countries as part of the MAGDAY exercise. 

"The IAF will participate in the exercise for the first time as Germany's guests", said an officer identified only as Lt. Col. A, commander of the 105th ("Scorpion") Squadron, which operates "Barak" (F-16C/D) aircraft, and head of the IAF's deployment team. "This is an opportunity to showcase our abilities and learn about NATO's flight and training technique."

Six IAF F-16C/D fighter jets, two "Re'em" (Boeing 707) aircraft, and two "Nachshon-Eitam" (Gulfstream G-550) aircraft will land at Nörvenich base in Germany, marking the first time for IAF aircraft to arrive on German soil.  

According to the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, the IAF will practice dogfights, ground-to-air combat, handling surface-to-air missile threats, and other combat scenarios in enemy territory. The exercise is an opportunity to fly tactically and face a wide variety of threats using advanced technology, and to execute quality aerial training in an unfamiliar arena. 

"This training is very effective and unique, as we train in an unfamiliar environment and territory", noted Lt. Col. A. "We will fly in a different environment than we are used to in Israel, with different flight platforms and flight rules".

"The flights will be carried out using NATO's combat doctrine as opposed to ours, which creates a challenge for the pilot and Weapons Systems Operator in the cockpit", said Lt. Col. A. "The exercise will simulate warfare due to the uncertainty, and the difference from training in Israel".

"On a tactical level, we have the incredible opportunity to learn from other air forces and train in unfamiliar territory and challenging conditions", the IAF officer added. "From a strategic standpoint, we are strengthening our ability to cooperate with other nations and air forces".

There will also be a joint flyby, led by an IAF Gulfstream G550 with F-16 fighter jets and two German "Eurofighter" jets, on Tuesday over the Dachau concentration camp in memory of the Holocaust victims, and over Fürstenfeldbruck Airport close to Munich in memory of the 11 Israeli Olympic delegation members who were murdered by terrorists at the 1972 Summer Olympics. The commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin, will lead the flyby in the Gulfstream G550 alongside the Commander of the German Air Force, Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, according to the IDF spokesperson's Unit. 

After the flyby, an official memorial ceremony at the Dachau concentration camp will be held. The ceremony will be attended by the German Federal Minister of Defense, Annegret Kramp Karrenbauer, the commanders of both air forces and other dignitaries. 

Due to the spread of COVID-19, MAGDAY will be the only overseas exercise that the IAF will participate in this year.  

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