CENTCOM chief discusses countering Iran threat on Israel visit

Gen. Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), visited Israel on Oct. 31 as a guest of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the IDF said on Sunday.

The two men “held a situational assessment on strategic security issues and joint regional preparedness, as part of the response to threats in the Middle East, with a focus on Iran,” according to the IDF.

Kurilla visited the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system battery recently deployed in Israel to strengthen the Jewish state’s multi-layered aerial defense system against Iran and its terrorist proxies.

“The IDF will continue to deepen its relationship with the U.S. Armed Forces, due to our commitment to strengthening regional stability and the coordination between the two militaries,” the IDF said.

CENTCOM announced on Saturday that B-52 bombers have arrived in the Middle East amid the Iranian threats against Israel and the United States.

“B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers from Minot Air Force Base’s 5th Bomb Wing arrived in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility,” CENTCOM tweeted, with an accompanying picture of one of the massive planes on final approach.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered the deployment of the bomber aircraft along with U.S. Navy warships, the Pentagon said on Friday.

“In keeping with our commitments to the protection of U.S. citizens and forces in the Middle East, the defense of Israel, and de-escalation through deterrence and diplomacy, the secretary of defense ordered the deployment of additional ballistic missile defense destroyers, fighter squadron and tanker aircraft, and several U.S. Air Force B-52 long-range strike bombers to the region,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.