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Last update - 23:05 06/11/2008
IDF concludes large drill simulating double-front war in North
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
Tags: North, IDF, Israel News 

The Israel Defense Forces Northern Command concluded a large-scale exercise Thursday which simulated a double-front conflagration with Syria and Lebanon.

The drill, codenamed "Shiluv Zro'ot III" (Crossing Arms III), was the second largest of its kind since the end of the Second Lebanon War in 2006. Among this week's exercises was a strategic-level simulation involving all IDF commands.

The exercise drilled the Israel Air Force and the Home Front Command in dealing with protocol and problem-solving missions under the simulated firing of thousands of rockets and missiles into the heart of Israel's population centers.
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In addition to the Northern Command, the air force and the home front command, Crossing Arms involved the IDF Military Intelligence directorate and the general staff. Unlike headquarter-level exercises from the past, Crossing Arms entailed the deployment of troops on the ground, comprising mainly reservists.

Additionally, helicopter gunships and airplanes were sent on mock raids and evacuation missions. The aircraft did not fire live ammunition, according to army sources.

During the drill, the striking aircraft were under orders to focus on imaginary long and medium-range missile launchers. The responsibility for knocking out shorter range rockets lay on ground troops that were ordered to carry out an on-paper invasion into Syrian and Lebanese territory.

Speaking before subordinate officers, Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi said that the importance attached to Crossing Arms III stemmed from the fact that it involved all IDF operational arms, and from the fact that it was put together in a way which internalized the lessons of the Second Lebanon War.

During the exercise, Ashkenazi flew aboard a Boeing Integrated Defense Systems AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopter. He also went aboard an Israel Navy submarine. Other visitors included President Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

Major-General Yishai Bar - who commanded one of the drill's assault armies under Northern Command Chief Gadi Eizenkot - announced his retirement during the drill. Yishai said he will retain his position as commander of the IDF's all-purpose reserves army, but will do so as a reservist himself.



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      6.   piciking on defenceless countries 01:46  |  VIPER 07/11/08
      7.   #6, You Ask For It, You Will Get It ! 02:46  |  Gary 07/11/08
      8.   #4, Actually,Air ,Ground War a Success 03:10  |  Gary 07/11/08
      9.   Yep, that`s exactly what it was 03:35  |  Chaim Gorenstein 07/11/08
      10.   Besides new tactics... new PR is necessary 07:28  |  Edward 07/11/08
      11.   Making the I.D.F. a credible deterrent once again is a ... 08:50  |  Jean Van Daem 07/11/08
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      13.   Number 1 Country Traitor Peres Should Not Have Been Present . 13:35  |  Joseph.E 07/11/08
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      15.   #7, GARY and history 02:36  |  VIPER 08/11/08
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