The last time the Israel Defense Forces simulated an attack on Iran, 100 fighter jets participated; yesterday they began a training operation that will break that record in a joint exercise with the US Armed Forces. The name given for the exercise was "Juniper Oak 23" and according to an anonymous IDF source, the training operation of the joint Israeli-American militaries will test the readiness of both armies and improve the operational relationship between the two as well.
The exercise will simulate attacks on targets and practice complex descriptions, combining joint communication, command, and control systems with the aim of refining the common language used between the two militaries. The Israeli missile ships and a submarine performed a joint naval maneuver, together with an American aircraft carrier. In addition, refueling of Sa'ar 5 missile ships is expected to take place in the middle of the sea using an American tanker, to expand the ranges and areas of operation of the IDF in routine and emergency situations.
US, #Israel Kick off Massive Exercise with 142 Aircraft, #Satellites, and More, by Chris Gordon in @ASForcesMag https://t.co/GZJlWWeqr8 #JuniperOak23 #Space #MilSpace #USA
ā Middle East Space Monitor (@MidEast_Space) January 24, 2023
During the exercise, the Israeli and American air, sea, and land forces will fire at targets simulating Iranian naval threats. According to an American press release, 140 fighter jets will take part in the joint training mission, including American heavy bombers.
Today, CENTCOM and the Israel Defense Forces begin Juniper Oak 23.2, a large-scale exercise in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. pic.twitter.com/NUk1LZ2jLD
ā U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 23, 2023
According to the IDF press release: "the Israeli and American air forces will practice various types of combat through transport aircraft, rescue and rescue helicopters, as well as UAVs, reconnaissance aircraft and heavy American bombers, and will even drop live ammunition in the south of Israel.ā
In addition, the Israeli refueling planes of the "Ram" type and the IDF's future refueling planes, heavy American KC46 type refuelers, will participate in the exercise, which will refuel the fighter planes and bombers together."
The IDF and @CENTCOM launched the Juniper Oak 23.2 exercise today, testing U.S.-Israeli readiness & improving the interoperability of both forces, as well as target strikes and training in complex terrain while integrating joint communications and command and control systems. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/TsglXYE2nE
ā Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 23, 2023
As part of the exercise, the ground forces will also hold a joint exercise that will include maneuvering and firing dozens of rockets, during which long-range rockets will be launched from the American HIMARS system and from Israeli launchers, and during the exercise senior commanders from the US Army's Central Command will visit and overlook the entire training.
It should be noted that the joint training comes at a time of conflict between Israel and the US regarding the method in which the Iranian threat should be approached; while Netanyahu is becoming convinced that military action is the only option, the Biden administration is still seeking diplomatic solutions to the conflict.
