Israel, US simulate attack on Iran during joint three-day military exercise
According to the IDF, this exercise is “key component of our two militaries’ increasing strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran”
Mandi Kogosowski
| 01/12/2022
Photo of joint IDF/US exercise. Photo credit: official IDF Twitter account
The Israeli and United States militaries have concluded a series of joint exercises, which simulated various scenarios regarding emerging threats in the region.
The exercise began as four IAF F-35i “Adir” aircraft accompanied four American F-15 fighter jets through Israel’s skies yesterday.
During the exercise, an American KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft refuelled a number of IAF F-16i "Sufa" fighter jets, as the IAF and the US Air Force performed midair refuelling.
Additionally, the IAF simulated a long-range operational scenario and long-distance flights.
The IDF Intelligence Directorate conducted an extensive simulation replicating campaign against distant countries, testing the IDF’s abilities of intelligence gathering, target determination and outlining, and making intelligence available to operational forces.
The IDF tweeted that “These exercises are a key component of our two militaries’ increasing strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran.”
"The strategic cooperation with the United States and other countries strengthens the capabilities of the IDF against the challenges in the Middle East, led by Iran,” said Israel’s outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, who visited the Israel Air Force underground control center during the exercise.
“We have partners in the sky and on the ground, but we also have the right to act as we see fit and defend the State of Israel," added Lapid, who was briefed by IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.Gen. Aviv Kohavi, and Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, on the various drills and operational issues, primarily the response to the Iranian threat.
Lapid was also presented with an outline for activities and long-range flights against countries in Israel's third-circle periphery that tested the IDF's intelligence gathering and attack capabilities.
Chief of Staff says there is an agreement on “acceleration of operational plans and cooperation against Iran”
Earlier this month, Kohavi travelled to the US for a five-day official visit. He met with multiple senior members of the US Armed Forces and discussed increased operational cooperation and regional challenges, giving the main focus to Iran.
“In order to improve our capabilities toward the challenges in the region, joint activity with CENTCOM will be significantly expanded in the near future. At the same time, the IDF will act at an accelerated rate against the entrenchment of the Iranian regime in the region,” said Kohavi upon his return to Israel.
"On the one hand, Iran is under many economic, military, and internal pressures, and on the other hand, it continues to promote its nuclear program. The IDF strongly promotes all operational plans against the Iranian threat
“During the discussions, it was agreed that we are at a critical point in time that requires the acceleration of operational plans and cooperation against Iran and its terrorist proxies in the region.”
According to the IDF, this exercise is “key component of our two militaries’ increasing strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran”
Photo of joint IDF/US exercise. Photo credit: official IDF Twitter account
The Israeli and United States militaries have concluded a series of joint exercises, which simulated various scenarios regarding emerging threats in the region.
The exercise began as four IAF F-35i “Adir” aircraft accompanied four American F-15 fighter jets through Israel’s skies yesterday.
During the exercise, an American KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft refuelled a number of IAF F-16i "Sufa" fighter jets, as the IAF and the US Air Force performed midair refuelling.
Additionally, the IAF simulated a long-range operational scenario and long-distance flights.
The IDF Intelligence Directorate conducted an extensive simulation replicating campaign against distant countries, testing the IDF’s abilities of intelligence gathering, target determination and outlining, and making intelligence available to operational forces.
The IDF tweeted that “These exercises are a key component of our two militaries’ increasing strategic cooperation in response to shared concerns in the Middle East, particularly those posed by Iran.”
"The strategic cooperation with the United States and other countries strengthens the capabilities of the IDF against the challenges in the Middle East, led by Iran,” said Israel’s outgoing Prime Minister, Yair Lapid, who visited the Israel Air Force underground control center during the exercise.
“We have partners in the sky and on the ground, but we also have the right to act as we see fit and defend the State of Israel," added Lapid, who was briefed by IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.Gen. Aviv Kohavi, and Air Force Commander, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, on the various drills and operational issues, primarily the response to the Iranian threat.
Lapid was also presented with an outline for activities and long-range flights against countries in Israel's third-circle periphery that tested the IDF's intelligence gathering and attack capabilities.
Chief of Staff says there is an agreement on “acceleration of operational plans and cooperation against Iran”
Earlier this month, Kohavi travelled to the US for a five-day official visit. He met with multiple senior members of the US Armed Forces and discussed increased operational cooperation and regional challenges, giving the main focus to Iran.
“In order to improve our capabilities toward the challenges in the region, joint activity with CENTCOM will be significantly expanded in the near future. At the same time, the IDF will act at an accelerated rate against the entrenchment of the Iranian regime in the region,” said Kohavi upon his return to Israel.
"On the one hand, Iran is under many economic, military, and internal pressures, and on the other hand, it continues to promote its nuclear program. The IDF strongly promotes all operational plans against the Iranian threat
“During the discussions, it was agreed that we are at a critical point in time that requires the acceleration of operational plans and cooperation against Iran and its terrorist proxies in the region.”
