Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — The United States has deployed a senior commander to help Israel in any future war.

The Defense Department has sent a general to command a unit meant to facilitate joint defense missions with Israel. Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson arrived in Israel in November 2014 to head the Joint Defense Force-Israel unit.

“We have a deep, uncompromising commitment to the security of the state of Israel, a commitment that is based on the special relationship between our countries,” Roberson said on Nov. 5. “The moment the state of Israel notifies us that it is in need of our assistance, we will come to help in defending it.”

Roberson’s arrival came in wake of Israel’s 50-day war with Hamas, which fired 4,700 rockets into the Jewish state. During the war, President Barack Obama suspended military shipments to Israel.

“Naturally, I cannot discuss the numbers of troops [who can deploy to Israel] or describe all the weapon systems, but what is important is the fact that we will bring with us everything necessary to defend the state of Israel,” Roberson said.

Officials said Roberson would oversee air and missile defense missions. They said this included the fleet of U.S.-origin PAC-2 batteries upgraded by Israel over the last decade.

After his arrival, Roberson was said to have been briefed by the Israel Air Force on enemy missile threats. He also toured the air force’s Active Defense Division, which operates both the Patriot as well as the Arrow system.

Officials said Roberson would also serve as a U.S. military liaison for the annual Juniper Cobra ballistic missile defense exercise. The last exercise was held in May 2014 and was conducted through computer simulators.

“We work jointly during our routine so that, in times of war, we will be able to do our job as best as we can,” Roberson said. “We have to train together because the mission is a complex and a critical one.”

  U.S. stations general in Israel to coordinate defense assistance in future war, WorldTribune.com