The Israeli Air Force and the U.S. Air Force Command completed a joint international exercise, announced the Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson on Sunday.
Dubbed “Desert Falcon,” it was held at Uvda Air Force Base in southern Israel, and included Israeli and American F-16 fighter jets, the IDF stated.
“During the exercise, Israeli and American aircrews flew wing-to-wing and trained for various aerial scenarios and strikes. The exercise marked a significant step for the strategic cooperation and operational readiness for the IAF and the USA,” add the Israeli military.
In October, the IAF hosted the international Blue Flag exercise at Uvda Air Force Base, where the Commander of the United Arab Emirates Air Force, Maj. Gen. Staff Pilot Ibrahim Nasser Mohammed Al Alawi, paid a historic visit to Israel to observe the proceedings.
That exercise was Israel’s largest and most advanced aerial one to date. It included the IAF, Germany, Italy, Britain, France, India, Greece and the United States, and saw the first deployment of a British fighter squadron (of Eurofighter jets) in Israel since the establishment of the country.
