Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States Military, Admiral Michael G. Mullen, will arrive in Israel on Sunday, as part of a tour of the region. Admiral Mullen will be hosted by IDF Chief of the General Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, who will hold a festive dinner in his honor later tonight.
During his visit Admiral Mullen will hold a private meeting with Lt.-Gen. Ashkenazi, as well as a briefing with senior commanders of the General Staff, including Deputy Chief of Staff Maj.-Gen. Benny Ganz, Head of Israel Defense Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Amos Yadlin, Head of Strategic Planning Directorate, Maj.-Gen. Amir Eshel, and the military attaché to Washington, Maj.-Gen. Gadi Shamni. The discussion will focus on cooperation between the two militaries and mutual security challenges. Admiral Mullen will also meet with Minister of Defense Ehud Barak.
Admiral Mullen will be greeted at the IDF General Headquarters in Rabin Base, Tel Aviv (the Kiryah), by an honor guard consisting of IDF soldiers from the ground, air and naval forces, to the sound of the national anthems of Israel and the United States of America.
Admiral Mullen will also visit the Yad VaShem Holocaust Memorial and Museum, where he will pay his respects to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. At his request, Admiral Mullen will see members of the IDF rescue delegation to Haiti, and hear about their professional experiences with regard to rescue operations and field medical treatment.