The IDF’s Juniper Oak exercise with the US Army’s Central Command ended yesterday (Thursday). The exercise simulated attacking targets and complex scenarios combining joint communication, command and control systems.
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 different scenarios with the participation of fighter planes, transport and aerial refueling planes, rescue and rescue helicopters, as well as UAVs, reconnaissance planes and heavy American B52 bombers that dropped live weapons in the south of the country.
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, Saar 5 missile ships were refueled, in the middle of the sea, by an American tanker, to expand the IDF’s ranges and areas of operation 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 plane in a mountainous and complex area in the Golan Heights, where the Americans rescued an Israeli pilot .
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.
The investigation was also attended by 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.
From the words of the Chief of the General Staff, Major General Herzi Halevi: “Israel and the US share the same values, the IDF and Centcom see eye to eye on the regional threats. Exercise “Basalt Oaks” 2023 increased the level of our integrated operational planning and execution. Israel knows how to defend itself, but it’s always good to have our best partner with us so 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 with us here this week and especially to General Corilla for a wonderful partnership. We were good, now we are better.”
In the words of Centcom commander, General (****) Michael Korilla: “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.
“Over the course of the last five days, we have significantly improved our joint ability to respond to regional threats. The IDF possesses the most innovative weapons systems, operates at a maximum level of professionalism and has first-rate combat capability. The US is committed to Israel’s security and supports building the country’s qualitative advantage.”