<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile Ñ Israeli exercises prepare for long-range strikes

Israeli exercises prepare for long-range strikes

Tuesday, August 25, 2009   E-Mail this story   Free Headline Alerts

TEL AVIV Ñ The Israel Air Force is conducting combat maneuvers in preparation for long-range strikes.

Military sources said the air force has been preparing squadrons for long-range strikes in such countries as Iran and Syria. The sources said the exercises focused on targeting and destroying ground targets in areas that contain advanced air defense systems.

"The most realistic scenario envisions a brief window of opportunity to target and destroy a high-value target," a military source said.

The exercises have also recreated scenarios of Israeli fighter-jets under threat from enemy air forces. Under these scenarios, Israeli F-15 and F-16 pilots would be required to maneuver between air defense systems and enemy interceptors.

In August, the air force held a competition titled Skewer," in which two combat squadrons recreated a war scenario. Several squadrons participated in a competition in which a four-jet formation was directed to target and destroy ground targets without being harmed by air defense or enemy aircraft. Squadron 105, which flies the F-16C/D multi-role fighter won the competition.

The live-fire competitions were meant to augment air force exercises to enhance skills of pilots and navigators to conduct long-range strikes. The exercises were also designed to increase interoperability between F-15 and F-16 aircraft.

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