The week-long widescale operation is taking place as a series of joint Israeli-United States aerial exercises are also being held.
By Erin Viner
The military exercise is being held on Israel’s northern frontier with Lebanon and Syria. It began in the early morning hours on Sunday and is expected to conclude on Thursday.
According to a statement TV7 obtained from the IDF, the activity was planned in advance as part of the training program for 2022.
“Its purpose is to strengthen the division’s readiness for multi-scene operative scenarios, with an emphasis on emergency mechanisms, command centers and the integration of ground and air capabilities in combat,” said the statement.
In tandem, the Israel Air Force (IAF) is holding a series of joint aerial exercises with its counterpart from the United States (USAF) over the Mediterranean Sea today.
“Fighter jets and refuelers from the IAF and the US Air Force will take part in the exercise and simulate a number of scenarios in the face of regional threats,” said the Israeli military, in reference to Iran and its regional terror proxies.
This marks the second time the two countries will hold such a drill.
Jerusalem and Washington greenlighted the joint exercise during last week’s last official visit to the US by outgoing-IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi, whose term ends on 17 January.
“In order to improve our capabilities in the face of challenges in the region, joint activity with the US Central Command will be significantly expanded in the near future,” Kochavi said in a statement following his return to Israel, adding that, “At the same time, the IDF will continue to act at an accelerated rate against the entrenchment of the Iranian regime in the region he added.
Israeli and American leaders have been preparing military contingency plans to prevent the Islamic Republic of Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.