The US and Israeli Forces Train As Tensions Rise

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – U.S. and Israeli air forces have held “the first-of-its-kind aerial exercise” in Israel as tensions mount in the region, army sources confirmed.

The “Desert Eagle” exercise involving the Israeli Air Force (IAF) and U.S. Air Forces Central ended Tuesday at Israel’s Uvda Air Force base, Worthy News learned.

“The exercise was led by the IAF’s 133rd ‘Knights of the Twin Tail’ Squadron,” with its “Baz” (F-15) fighter jets,” the IAF said. They were joined by “F-15s from the United States Air Force’s 494th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron,” the IAF added.

The 115th (“Flying Dragon”) aggressor squadron “simulated enemy forces in operational scenarios such as dealing with aerial, ground, and combined threats.”

Israel’s military called the “historic cooperation” between the American and Israeli forces “yet another expression of the long-standing alliance between Israel and the United States.”

The aircrews reportedly practiced various operational scenarios in the air, including joint exercises against ground, aerial, and “combined threats” while striking designated targets.

The exercise came as Israel and neighboring Lebanon are still reeling from clashes in recent days between Israel’s army and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.

Israel’s army spokesperson, Amnon Shefler, confirmed last week that 19 rockets had been fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah, with “16 landings in Israel”.

Hezbollah, which seeks the destruction of Israel, did not reach all intended targets.

Shefler added that 10 rockets had been intercepted by the defense system known as the Iron Dome, and three of the missiles landed in Lebanon.

Israel’s army responded Friday with a new round of artillery fire towards Lebanon as tensions rapidly escalated across the border.

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