The IDF concluded a series of multiform training exercises Thursday, including Solid Stand, an annual civil defense drill, and Head Stone, a training exercise for the IDF general staff, as well as Juniper Cobra 2018, a large-scale joint training operation that included elite IDF infantry units and U.S. Marines.
As part of the Head Stone drill, the IDF said the army rehearsed cross-unit communications, including collaboration between different branches of the military, as well as a range of operative and tactical exercises to be employed in the event of a variety of potential attacks, or against a multi-faceted attack.
For Operation Solid Stand, the IDF Homefront Command trained for a variety of civilian disasters, including collapsed buildings, search and rescue and response protocols for a biological or chemical attack. In addition to the IDF Home Front Command, the exercises included the National Disaster Authority, local councils, search and rescue organizations and other public and private bodies.
Juniper Cobra brought together more than 2,500 U.S. troops with IDF soldiers from the Egoz elite unit for a drill that the U.S. military said served as a dress rehearsal for a joint response to an Iranian missile attack on Israel. The exercise was the largest training exercise ever performed by the IDF in cooperation with international forces and took place as part of a broader three-week long training exercise involving the IAF Aerial Defense Division and the USEUCOM (United States European Command).
“We drill a variety of scenarios in order to train the Israeli and U.S. forces, from ‘Patriot’ weapon system deployments to interception while coordinating the American and Israeli weapon systems,” Col. Gershon Zlotnik, Deputy Commander of the IDF Aerial Defense Division, told Israel Defense, a local industry news site.
“Two different militaries which need to work in full coordination is the biggest challenge of our cooperation. We are one force, working in synergy to protect Israel.”
American military publication ArmyTimes added that the exercises were aimed at strengthening ties between combat units in both armies, including the possibility that American troops could deploy to Israel within three days in the event of an Iranian attack.
“It depends on the scenario at some point, but we will have fighting forces moving within 72 hours,” Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, commander of 3rd Air Force, told ArmyTimes, “We can phase in our forces as required, but almost immediately.”