Israel Hayom has learned that Polish F-16 fighter jets are expected to join their Israeli counterparts in mid-March for the first-ever joint Israeli-Polish exercise, to be held at the Ovda air force base in the Negev. The two air forces are scheduled to simulate aerial combat and complete offensive and navigation exercises. Among other events, the two forces are to partake in a red flag exercise, which simulates enemy aircraft. A source in the defense establishment said Sunday that the Poles wanted to maintain a low media profile over their participation in the joint drill in Israel. The joint exercise will not be the first such event involving a foreign air force: Three months ago, separate exercises were held with Italian and Greek fighter jets. It was the first time that the Greek air force trained in Israel. The IAF also regularly deploys aircraft abroad. In recent months, Israeli jets were deployed in Greece, Italy and Romania. The Israel Defense Forces actively seek these cooperative efforts to, among other things, bolster relations with foreign air forces and make a positive impression on countries with which it cooperates. These exercises possess strategic significance in that they contribute to the strength of relations with the participating nations. The Israel Air Force is considered one of the worlds leading air forces, and many countries seek joint exercises with Israel. In 2006, the Polish air force commander at the time, Lt. Gen. Stanislaw Targosz, visited Israel to tour bases with then-IAF commander Maj. Gen. Eliezer Shkedi. In 2003, Israel conducted the now famous flyover at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp memorial in Poland in which a three-jet F-15 formation took off from the Polish air force base of Radom and flew over the camp carrying documents containing the names of Jews who had been murdered there. The flyover was initiated by none other than incoming IAF commander Maj. Gen. Amir Eshel. In light of the heated public discourse on possible budget cuts awaiting the IDF, sources in the defense establishment clarified Sunday that the joint Israeli-Polish exercise had been scheduled well in advance.
IAF to conduct joint exercise with Polish air force
Joint drill, involving simulated aerial combat and navigation exercises, to be held at the Ovda air force base in the Negev in mid-March • IDF sees such cooperative efforts as opportunities to bolster relations with foreign air forces.
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