Israel and the United States conducted large-scale military exercisesLarge-scale army exercises Juniper Oak 2023 ("Basalt Oaks 2023") conducted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) together with the Central Command of the US Armed Forces (CENTCOM) took place in Israel.
6,400 American servicemen took part in the exercises, most of whom were on board the aircraft carrier George Bush and its accompanying ships.
The American press describes the Basalt Oaks as the most significant military exercises between the two countries to date.
The exercises were launched a week after Lieutenant General Herzl Halevi assumed the post of Chief of the IDF General Staff, and Yoav Galant became Israel's Defense minister. The stated purpose of the exercise was to test operational capabilities and strengthen cooperation and coordination between the military of the United States and Israel. The exercises, which lasted until January 27, made it possible to test the joint Israeli-American combat readiness and improve operational ties between the military of the two countries.
The Israel Defense Forces and the US Armed Forces have deployed more than 140 fighters, including F-15, F-16 and F-35, as well as American B-52 bombers, several ships, submarines and almost all communication and surveillance systems. During the exercises, missile boats and submarines of the IDF Navy conducted joint maneuvers with the American aircraft carrier George Bush. In addition, at sea, at a great distance from the shore, the refueling of the Saar-5 corvettes by an American tanker was worked out, which makes it possible to significantly increase their range in normal and emergency situations.
During the exercises, the Air Force, Navy and Ground Forces of the IDF and the United States practiced striking targets simulating threats from the sea. As part of the exercises, the Israeli and US Air Forces worked out various combat scenarios with the participation of combat, transport, rescue aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), reconnaissance aircraft and heavy American bombers.
In the south of Israel, the Air Force used combat supplies. The refueling of fighters and bombers in the air by IDF Ram aircraft and heavy American KC-46 tankers was worked out.
The Israeli and US ground forces conducted joint maneuvers, during which they launched dozens of types of missiles, including long-range missiles. The exercises involved American multiple launch rocket systems HIMARS.
The joint maneuvers were observed by representatives of CENTCOM of the US Armed Forces (the Central American Command for the Middle East, East Africa and Central Asia). Planning for the exercises began at the end of November 2022, even before the current Israeli government came to power. But, as one American source said, "governments come and go, but our commitment to Israel's security remains unchanged."
A source in the US Armed Forces said on condition of anonymity that the exercises are being held against the backdrop of the growing Iranian threat, in addition, Tehran will closely monitor the progress of these exercises. At the same time, according to the Israeli resource Ynet (the Internet version of the daily newspaper Yediot Ahronot), Israeli pilots have worked out plans to strike targets in Iran. The exercises also included the suppression of air defense systems and the destruction of fortified underground facilities.
As you know, Israel has stepped up intelligence gathering about Iran in recent years. At the same time, the list of Iranian targets for the attack has doubled. And although it was stated that the exercise program does not include practicing strikes on specific Iranian targets, Israel will clearly work out all the issues of striking targets in Iran.
The joint forces have clearly rehearsed a model of an attack on Iran. For the third time, the air Forces of both armies are working out a model of attacks on targets in Iran, which includes elements of command and control, intelligence dissemination and a wide "umbrella" of air defense coverage.
It can be assumed that the exercises were also supposed to demonstrate the ability of the United States to quickly transfer large strike forces to the Middle East. The exercises showed that the United States can quickly transfer troops to the Middle East, although the main attention of Washington and the Pentagon today is focused on the Russian special military operation (SVO) in Ukraine and the development of the confrontation with China. Washington believes that US opponents in the Middle East region will notice the effect of projecting American military power.
According to the Israel Defense Forces, the Basalt Oaks exercises were closely watched by high-ranking commanders of the US Armed Forces. These exercises "tested the readiness of Israeli and American forces for joint operations against Iran," the US Central Command said in a statement.
It is noteworthy that the United States and Israel tested their air defense plans at exercises in 2022. The exercises simulated a major missile attack on Iran and a joint defensive response to protect key Israeli facilities.
As Iran's nuclear program continues to evolve, Jerusalem is closely coordinating its military actions with Washington. Representatives of the Israeli Defense Ministry believe that the US government will support the IDF strike on Tehran's nuclear facilities. Now it remains only to coordinate all actions and measures, which happened partially during the period of the exercises.
Vasily Ivanov
