Israel, US, Conduct Joint Defense Drill
JERUSALEM, Israel -- Some 1,000 U.S. servicemen are in Israel to participate in a joint U.S./Israeli missile defense drill.
U.S. forces are joining about 4,000 Israeli soldiers in a week of exercises simulating simultaneous rocket and missile barrages from Lebanon, Syria, the Gaza Strip and Iran.
Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met with his Israeli counterpart, Moshe (Bogi) Yaalon, here in Israel to discuss details of the biennial exercise, dubbed Juniper Cobra.
According to Hagel, the joint drill is the largest exercise of its kind, encompassing Israels multi-tiered anti-missile defense system, including the Patriot, Arrow, Iron Dome, and Davids Sling missile defense systems.
Hagel later told reporters Americas commitment to a strong and secure Israel has not been and never will be anything but complete and unwavering.
