Israel, US Launch Drills To Practice ‘Long-Range Aerial Scenarios’

Four F-35I fighter jets escort a B707 refueler in preparation for Red Flag-Nellis 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 8, 2023.
Four F-35I fighter jets escort a B707 refueler in preparation for Red Flag-Nellis 23-2 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, March 8, 2023.

The Israeli and US Air Force began a two-week joint training drill named Red Flag in Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, on Sunday.

According to the Israeli Defence Forces, the exercise aims to achieve “aerial superiority in the region” as it works on drills including "long-range aerial scenarios" in hints at a possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

The statement said the two week exercise will include a wide-range of capability training such as joint aerial strikes, area defense, interception of enemy aircraft, low-altitude flights and flights in areas abundant with anti-aircraft equipment.

The exercise will also include joint midair refuelings, where Israeli Air Force tanker aircraft will refuel American fighter jets, and an IAF F-35I “Adir” aircraft will be refueled by American KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft.

The exercise comes a few days after a meeting between US and Israeli officials in Washington, where the two countries pledged to prevent the Islamic Republic from acquiring nuclear weapons and further deter the hostile activities of Tehran in the region.

For the first time, seven IAF F-35I “Adir” aircraft and two IAF F-15I "Ra'am" aircraft will participate in the exercise in US territory. The exercise is taking place following the "Juniper Oak" exercise, the largest joint exercise to be conducted with USCENTCOM.

“The Red Flag exercise strengthens the operational cooperation between the two militaries as key partners committed to maintaining security in the Middle East,” the IDF spokesman’s unit said.