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Hesitant Israel holds first air force exercise with U.S.

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, April 25, 2001

TEL AVIV — Israel, after years of hesitating, has held its first air force exercise with the United States in the Middle East.

The exercise was held last month in Israel's Negev desert and for the first time exposed the U.S. Air Force to Israeli combat tactics. These included such measures as air-to-air and air-ground maneuvers.

Officials said the exercise marked an upgrade in Israeli-U.S. air force cooperation. They said that until 1999 Israel's air force refused major air force exercises with its U.S. counterpart out of concern that Israeli methods would be relayed to neighboring Egypt.

The United States has been holding air exercises with Egypt for years. Israel has been concerned over the growing might of Egypt's military, particularly its air force.

The Israel Air Force Journal reported that an Israeli Boeing 707 tanker refueled U.S. F-16s during the exercise. In addition, the U.S KC-135 refueling plane filled up Israeli Air Force F-15s and F-16s.

In all, 11 F-16s from the U.S. air force participated in the exercise along with 14 Israeli F-15s and 10 F-16s. The exercise took place about six weeks ago, but was kept secret.

The two air forces also simulated air-to-air battles in which the Israelis played the role of MiG-21 and MiG-29 fighter-jets. Both sides said they learned something from the other.

"Despite the differences in our work methods, the cooperation between us was very successful," the magazine quoted an Israeli F-16 pilot as saying.

Wednesday, April 25, 2001


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