Photo: IDF Spokesperson

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The Juniper Cobra 10 exercise will officially come to an end tomorrow. President Shimon Peres was among the distinguished visitors who came to view the exercise. After yesterdays visit by the Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff, President Peres arrived today to the Hatzor Airbase accompanied by commander of the IAF, Major General Ido Nehoshtan, and head of the Operations Directorate, Major General Tal Russo.

During the visit, Shimon Peres received reviews on the air defense system and on the Juniper Cobra 10 exercise in particular. The President demonstrated professional knowledge on the various systems, and received detailed responses to various issues related to the air defense system and the current exercise, such as: the differences between active defense protection and passive defense, the time it takes for warning and interception, the integration of the Israeli and American systems of protection and more.

“We are here, trying to fight in a democratic way, but we need to be ready in case we’re forced to defend ourselves,” announced Peres, at the end of his visit. President Peres, very impressed during his visit, sent a message reassuring the citizens of Israel: “There are those who help us fight and we have to thank the United States for their help.  It was a pleasure for me to see the cooperation between the armies.” In addition, the President also took time to praise the U.S. troops: “You’re here, giving all of yourself for an army which is not yours. We depend on you and trust you.”

Also head of the Operations Directorate, Maj. Gen. Tal Russo, who accompanied the tour during the exercise today, had a few words to say: “Although the exercise was complex and long, it was very good. The cooperation and work with the Americans was impeccable.”

Commander of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ido Nehoshtan, reinforced the words of Maj. Gen. Russo and said, “This is the biggest exercise in air defense that ever took place in the world, not only in Israel. The things that were learnt in the practices the past two weeks were very important.”