Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — Israel’s military has highlighted its counter-insurgency
skills during the visit of a senior U.S. defense official.

The Army’s special operations forces demonstrated CI skills during
the first official visit by U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Ash Carter. Carter
arrived in Israel in late July for strategic talks on such issues as Iran,
Syria and the Palestinian Authority.

“Protecting America means protecting Israel, and that’s why we’re here in the first place,” Carter said. “But this is the fun part.”

In one tactical demonstration, Israeli SOF soldiers disguised themselves as boulders and bushes. The operation also included the use of trained canines for a CI mission.

Ash spent much of his visit touring Army training bases. This included the facility at Adam, deemed an SOF training complex financed by U.S. military aid of $3.2 billion per year.

The Pentagon deputy chief also toured the Army’s Canine Unit, where dogs are taught to silently climb and crawl toward their targets. The dogs were also used in demonstrations to detect improvised explosive devices, concealed insurgents and contraband.

Officials did not disclose Carter’s talks with Israeli officials. They
were said to have included Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, ministry
director-general Udi Shani and National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror.

  Ash Carter, dogs for visiting U.S. official, Israeli SOF soldiers, Israeli special ops demonstrate CI skills, Moshe Ya’alon, Yaakov Amidror