US Troops Are Drilling With Israel
(DailyVantage.com) – Part of military readiness is carrying out drills with allies, whether or not an existing threat looms. The United States holds joint activities all across the globe to prepare for any incident that may require quick, calculated action. The latest joint military exercises took place between the US and Israel at a time when the Middle East faces heightened tensions.
On Tuesday, November 29, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement acknowledging it was hosting a series of drills with the US Armed Forces.
A series of joint aerial exercises between the IDF and the U.S. Armed Forces will begin today.
Fighter jets and refuelers from the IAF and the U.S. Air Force will take part in the exercise and simulate a number of scenarios in the face of regional threats.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 29, 2022
The drills focused on aerial exercises held over Israel and the Mediterranean Sea, involving fighter jets and refueling aircraft. Besides increasing military capabilities, the purpose was to practice “a number of scenarios” in the wake of ongoing regional threats. This exercise is likely just one of many to come as IDF chief Aviv Kohavi recently called for “significantly expanded” drills in the face of current activity in 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.” 1/2
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 24, 2022
Stripes reported that Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said the activity is “not something that’s unusual.”
When he took office, President Joe Biden made no bones about wanting to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (aka the Iran nuclear deal), and Israel strongly disapproved of the move. But lately, negotiations have fizzled out in the face of Iran’s increasing hostility.
Copyright 2022, DailyVantage.com
