צפו: חיילי ארה"ב בישראל מתרגלים יחד

The Juniper Cobra 2018 joint exercise between the IDF and the European Command of the United States (US EUCOM) ended successfully yesterday.

Over the past few weeks, IAF air force forces and ground forces of both armies have been practicing different scenarios with live-fire exercises.

The IAF's air defense forces deployed batteries of the various systems and practiced using computer simulations to protect the skies of Israel from a massive missile attack.

US soldiers at exercise conclusion
US soldiers at exercise conclusionצילום: דו"צ

In addition, joint exercises were held by paratrooper and marine combat soldiers, in which forces practiced warfare in built-up areas, counter-sabotage, use of artillery, raiding buildings using armored vehicles, and evacuating wounded persons. The Counter-Terrorism School hosted the US Marine Corps, where they underwent unique training, and at the same time held exercises with the commanders and soldiers of the Egoz unit.

The logistical and medical forces of the Technology and Logistics Division, in cooperation with the Americans, trained for a multi-casualty event, a hospital evacuation, and use of advanced technological means.

This exercise, which has been held every two years since 2001, is an example of the close ties and cooperation between the two armies.

U.S. Marines and Israeli soldiers practice urban combat during Juniper Cobra
U.S. Marines and Israeli soldiers practice urban combat during Juniper Cobraצילום: Reuters

The head of the Operations Branch, Major General Nitzan Alon, noted at the end of the exercise that "the deep connection between Israel and the United States is based on shared interests and values. Two democratic states with common values complementing each other by means of military-operational cooperation sends a strong and clear message to the entire region. The complex reality in the Middle East, as well as the activities of global terrorist organizations and radical elements, pose many challenges to Israel and the United States."

General Richard M. Clark, Commander of the Joint Task Force to Israel, also noted, "The Juniper Cobra 2018 exercise proved to be an incredibly challenging and realistic exercise that required trust, communication, and cooperation with our Israeli partners. The links built over the past two weeks help strengthen our interoperability and pave the way for future missions and exercises."

U.S. Marine travels in armoured personnel carrier during Juniper Cobra
U.S. Marine travels in armoured personnel carrier during Juniper CobraReuters