Postponement of U.S.-Israel missile exercise called 'routine'
TEL AVIV — A major missile defense exercise between Israel and the United States has been delayed.
Officials said the exercise has been postponed from Oct. 12 to Oct. 20, Middle East Newsline reported.
They cited logistics issues with the U.S. contingent, which has been
transporting a range of missile defense systems for the exercise, titled
Juniper Cobra.
Officials said the U.S. European Command has been sending 17 ships and
more than 2,000 personnel for Juniper Cobra. They said Eucom and the U.S.
Navy's Sixth Fleet would transport PAC-3, Aegis and the Terminal
High-Altitude Area Defense systems to Israel.
Israel would contribute the Arrow-2 and PAC-2 missile defense systems.
Officials said the biannual exercise would simulate an Iranian ballistic
missile salvo toward Israel.
"This will be the most advanced and largest Juniper Cobra edition yet,"
the official said.
Officials said U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet commander Adm. Mark Fitzgerald
would oversee Juniper Cobra. The Israeli side would be led by the Air
Defense
Command.
