The drill will include, among other things, launching of the Patriot missile. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

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On Wednesday (Oct. 21), the United States European Command (EUCOM) began participating with the IDF in an air defense exercise, known as Juniper Cobra 10, which will continue for a three week period. This is the fifth in the series of biennial Juniper Cobra exercises. These exercises are planned in advance and are part of a routine training cycle designed to improve the interoperability of both air defense systems. Planning for JC10 started over a year and a half ago.

“The exercise is not intended for offensive military activities, but only for defensive purposes,” said Brig. Gen. Doron Gavish, commander of the Israel Air Force’s Air Defense Division. Brig. Gen. Gavish explained that the exercise is not due to any development in the region, “It is a carefully designed exercise that has been taking place for years.”

Approximately 1000 EUCOM personnel and a similar number of IDF personnel will participate in the exercise. It is a welcome opportunity to learn from each other and to continue building partnership capacity between the two forces.

During the course of the exercise, a small number of U.S. Army forces from the U.S Army Europe (USAREUR) will be temporarily deployed to a number of locations in Israel in the vicinity of civilian areas. Troop movements and other activities may be observed and a number of roads may be closed for a short period of time. The USAREUR personnel are scheduled to depart upon completion of this exercise.