IDF & US CENTCOMM Conclude Week Long Military Exercise with US Air Force

Edited by: TJVNews.com

U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces conducted military exercises this week during the Juniper Oak 23.3 event in Israel.

This event tests collective U.S.-Israeli readiness and improves the interoperability of both forces through bilateral cyber incident response, while U.S. F-16’s, KC-10, and KC-46 aircraft support air-to-air refueling, and agile combat employment (offensive air) within Israel.

“Events like the Juniper Oak series demonstrate our commitment to strengthen military-to-military relations throughout the region,” said Gen. Michael “Erik” Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. “These exercises test our forces interoperability in multiple domains to bolster the kinds of firm partnerships we will lean on in times of crisis.”

The Juniper Oak 23.3 event demonstrates the U.S. commitment to Israel’s defense and enhances military readiness of the two partners. This event also demonstrates our full commitment to the security of the Middle East and ability to deter hostile acts against regional partners.

The exercise was the third in a series this year. In a statement, the IDF said the week-long drill, dubbed Juniper Oak, is “part of the cooperation and close relations with the United States, even at this time,” likely referring to political tensions between the Israeli and US government, as was reported by the Times of Israel on Thursday.

The drill included Israeli and American fighter jets carrying out “long-range strategic strike missions in areas with simulated multiple threats, electronic warfare and area defense against hostile aircraft infiltration,” according to the IDF.

The TOI reported that also during the drill, Israeli Air Force fighter jets refueled from American Boeing KC-10 and KC-46 tankers, the latter of which Israel has ordered four and is expected to receive the first in 2025.

For Israel, the KC-46 aircraft are seen as necessary to conduct potential major strikes against targets in Iran, some 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Israel and far outside the normal flight range of Israeli jets, the TOI report said.

The IDF says the third installment of Juniper Oak serves as preparation for a major upcoming drill, dubbed Blue Flag.