IDF, U.S. army simulate Iran missile attack

A joint Israeli-American missile defense drill that simulates an Iranian missile attack on Israeli towns commenced yesterday. It is expected to continue for the next two weeks.

The exercises will gauge the coordinated activity between the various missile defense systems, and the Israel Defense Forces' Home Front Command will also participate.

The main drills will take place in the Rishon Letzion and Rehovot areas.

In the drill's simulation of an Iranian missile attack on Israel, American military personnel will provide reinforcements for the missile defense system. Rescue forces from the Home Front Command will simulate rapid responses to missile strikes within Israel proper. These forces will also simulate unconventional missile strikes against American batteries. Together with American forces, IDF soldiers will also practice cleaning up dangerous materials left from supposed chemical or biological missile strikes.

As part of the strategic understandings between Jerusalem and Washington, the American missile defense and radar installations involved in the drill are military systems that will be stationed in Israel in the event of an emergency.

The Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMD) is a radar that is capable of significantly increasing the ability to detect and track missiles fired at Israel. American missile batteries will also boost the already-existing missile defense systems, including the Patriot and the Arrow.

Since 2001, the U.S. and Israel have held such exercises every two years. The drills, which are codenamed Juniper Cobra, are meant to test the capability of both armies to coordinate their efforts in defending against missile attacks.

This year's drills are the biggest ever to have been held. Last month, a large number of American warships carrying equipment, missiles, and personnel docked in Israeli ports.

Among the American forces that will take part in the drill are units responsible for activating the Aegis, THAAD and SM-3 missile systems, as well as the advanced, PAC-3 class Patriot missile. In addition, the American units that were stationed in the Negev last year and which are responsible for operating the X-band radar, will also participate in the drill. The Israeli side will also include soldiers who operate the Arrow and Patriot missile defense systems.