The largest ever: the joint exercise of the IDF and the US Army is over Israel today

Five days of fire: The IDF's "Juniper Oak" exercise with the US Army's Central Command comes to an end this evening (Thursday).

The exercise tested Israeli-American readiness and strengthened the operational relationship between the two armies with the aim of improving the ability to deal with regional threats.

The exercise simulated attacking targets and complex scenarios combining joint communication, command and control systems.

The IDF's "Basalt Oaks" exercise with the US Army's Central Command // Photo: IDF spokesperson

This is the largest exercise that took place in cooperation with the US Army, in which approximately 6,500 commanders and soldiers from the US Army took part.

The exercise demonstrated some of the most advanced capabilities of the armies and is the first in a series of exercises to be held in 2023.

The exercise began at a joint air and sea range of the two armies with the participation of missile ships and combat helicopters, during which they carried out coordinated firing at targets simulating naval threats.

Later, the air forces practiced various scenarios with the participation of fighter planes, transport and aerial refueling planes, rescue and rescue helicopters, remotely manned aircraft, reconnaissance planes and heavy American B52 bombers that dropped live weapons in the south of the country. 

Launching a drill during the exercise, photo: IDF spokesman

The missile ships and a submarine of the naval arm performed a naval maneuver together with an aircraft carrier and American destroyers as a joint task force with defense and attack capabilities in the face of a variety of threats.

Also, Sa'ar 5 missile ships were refueled, in the middle of the sea, by an American tanker, to expand the ranges and areas of operation of the IDF in routine and emergency situations.

In addition, fighter jets and bombers were refueled by Israeli "Ram" type refueling planes and heavy American KC46 type refueling planes, the future refueling planes of the IDF. The Israeli and American air forces practiced the rescue of an abandoned aircraft in a mountainous and complex area in the Golan Heights, where the Americans rescued Israeli pilot.

helicopters during the exercise of the armies,

The ground forces held a joint exercise that included maneuvering and firing dozens of rockets, during which long-range rockets were launched from the American HIMARS system and from launchers in the rocket array of the Israeli artillery corps.

The exercise ended with a preliminary investigation led by the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Hertzi Halevi and Centcom Commander, General Michael Korilla, which was conducted aboard an American aircraft carrier in the middle of the sea.

Also participating in the investigation were commanders from the IDF General Staff Forum, the deputy commander of Centcom, the commander of the Air Force at the Central Command of the US Army and the commander of the Fifth Fleet.

The commanders will investigate the activity of the air, ground and naval forces in the exercise and the joint training descriptors.

Also, many operational capabilities were demonstrated that were reflected in the exercise. 

missile ship during the exercise,

"The Basalt Oaks 2023 exercise increased the level of our integrated operational planning and implementation," Chief of Staff Lt. Col. Harzi Halevi, "Israel knows how to defend itself, but it is always good when our best partner is with us so that we can learn from each other. This operational relationship Strengthens our ability to deal with a wide variety of security challenges in the region. I would like to express my great appreciation to my commanders and Centcom soldiers who were here with us this week and especially to General Kurila for a wonderful partnership. We were good, now we are better."

"Our strategic partnerships in the region, which include our strong long-standing partnership with the IDF, are essential and critical to the regional security and stability offered through this level of partnership," said Centcom Commander, General Michael Kurilla, "Over the past five days, we have significantly improved the joint capability ours to respond to regional threats.

The IDF possesses the most innovative weapons systems, operates at a maximum level of professionalism and has a first-rate combat capability. The US is committed to Israel's security and supports building the country's qualitative advantage."

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