Israeli, US Air Force begin joint ‘Red Flag’ exercise

The US Air Force on Sunday began “Red Flag” exercise with the participation of the Israeli Air Force, the Israeli military said, Report informs via i24 News.

The exercise is held at the US Air Force Base in Nellis, Nevada. It will last for nearly two weeks and will include different types of training: “strategic attack in depth, achieving aerial superiority in space, joint attack aircraft, defense of field cells, interception of enemy aircraft, low-altitude flight and attack in unfamiliar terrain rich in anti-aircraft defenses,” the army spokesperson said in a statement.

“In addition, there will be a joint aerial refueling in which Israeli refueling planes will refuel American fighter jets, and Adir (the F-35I) planes will be refueled using American KC135 refueling planes. For the first time seven Adir planes and two Ram (the Boeing 707) planes will participate in the exercise in US skies,” the statement added.

Last January, the “Juniper Oak” exercise became the largest joint drill held by the Israeli forces together with the US Central Command (Centcom). It involved over 140 aircraft, 12 naval vessels, and artillery systems from both nations. The current exercise “continues and strengthens the operational cooperation between the armies as partners committed to security in the Middle East,” the Israeli army stated.