Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., June 10, 2009 Sivan 18, 5769 | | Israel Time: 20:44 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File
Share |
Last update - 01:55 22/05/2009
IAF drill simulates all-out regional war
By Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents
Tags: drill, Israel News, IAF, Iran

The Israel Air Force held a major drill Thursday simulating a war between Israel and Arab states and terrorist groups. As part of the drill, the air force tested readiness against attacks, including rockets and missiles targeting the home front from multiple directions.

Even though the plan was not substantively different from drills in previous years, it drew international media attention because of recent developments in Iran's nuclear program and Iran's test-firing Wednesday of a ballistic missile with an estimated 2,000-kilometer range - which would put Israel within reach.

Most air force squadrons participated in the drill, including interceptors, attack aircraft, helicopters, transport and refueling aircraft, the air defense system and air force intelligence. The drill also involved ground forces.
Advertisement
The scenario being tested, most of whose details remain classified, involved fighting on multiple fronts: against Hamas and Hezbollah, but also Syria and Iran to some degree.

Unlike the summer 2008 drill, which the New York Times reported involved a test flight for a long range attack on Iran, carried out in Greek airspace, there was nothing of the sort this time.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Thursday that the drill "was a very important one. What we witnessed bolsters our confidence that we have people we can rely on."

The air force drill is part of broad Israeli preparations for a potential
regional war, including attacks by Iran, or a conflict limited to the northern front - Lebanon and Syria.

Related articles:
  • Do we really need such a pricey plane?
  • 'Dozens of Israeli jets and drones attacked in Sudan'
  • IAF bombs Gaza smuggling tunnel after rockets hit Negev
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    See no evil
    Prosecution drops all charges against settler filmed shooting Palestinians in Hebron.
    The downside of greed
    T.A. court convicts former finance minister Abraham Hirchson of multimillion shekel fraud.
      1.   This is the right preparation 02:27  |  Brod 22/05/09
      2.   Right preparation 04:34  |  Truth 22/05/09
      3.   For someone who calls him/herself "Truth" # 2 09:03  |  Fortuna Benmayor 22/05/09
      4.   Sure it shows Israel`s true colors: better war than... 11:19  |  Ratna Pelle 22/05/09
      5.   Great ! Our victory is CERTAIN 11:23  |  VR 22/05/09
      6.   I`m just surprised that... 12:49  |  jennifer 22/05/09
      7.   Training for the Past 13:55  |  Mark Lincoln 22/05/09
      8.   israel will fight in few fronts? 15:42  |  what for? 22/05/09
      9.   ISRAEL stimulates all-out PEACE. 16:33  |  Razi 22/05/09
      10.   To Ranta Pelle 19:32  |  Liat 22/05/09
      11.   To Razi 19:36  |  Liat 22/05/09
      12.   For Razi, a noble Iranian friend # 9 01:29  |  Fortuna Benmayor 23/05/09
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    hotel Jerusalem
    David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels.
    ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE
    IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles
    Dead Sea Skin Care
    Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off!
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    More Headlines
    20:44 At least two shot at U.S. Holocaust Museum
    16:50 Cabinet to IDF: Respond to any attack from Gaza
    19:48 'U.S. won't abandon legitimate Palestinian aspirations'
    18:53 Supreme Court chief: Why won't state demolish illegal outposts?
    19:55 Yishai urges Netanyahu to cancel Tel Aviv gay parade
    19:26 Former Liberian warlord Charles Taylor 'converts to Judaism'
    19:45 Special ed teacher suspected of threatening students with rifle
    12:50 A.B. Yehoshua / Why do we insist on a 'Jewish' state?
    20:58 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel
    19:09 Ahmadinejad calls rival Iran candidates 'Hitler'
    16:18 Woman mistakenly junks $1 million mattress
    14:45 Poland offers psychological treatment to Gaza children
    10:28 Netanyahu failed to build bond of trust with Obama
    16:17 Egypt minister who urged burning Hebrew books stumbles in bid for UN post
    11:44 The Writers' Haaretz: Israel's best authors report the news
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Site rules |
    | Israel 2009 election results | Makom: Engaging on Israel
    | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved