The Israeli Air Force on Wednesday concluded a comprehensive four-day training exercise simulating a multi-front war. Every squadron in the air force participated in the drill, which also simulated a scenario in which the Israeli homefront comes under massive rocket fire.
The exercise includes fighter jets, attack and transport helicopters, drones and air-defense systems. The IAF's newest fighter jet, the American-made F-35, is also taking part in such a drill. According to the senior IAF officer, the F-35 drilled day and nighttime scenarios and has drastically improved the air force's capabilities.
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"The entire air force is in the air," a senior officer said. "We are training for a war on several fronts simultaneously, with the focus being the northern sector," the officer said in a possible hint to the Lebanon-based Hezbollah terrorist organization.
The IAF's 123rd Squadron, a helicopter squadron tasked with dropping commandos behind enemy lines and rescuing soldiers under fire, also took part in the drill.
Squadron commander Lt. Col. N., told Israel Hayom that in a war, his pilots would have to cope with a number of threats, namely shoulder-fired rockets.
"We fly low; the topography helps us stay safe. But mainly when we're on the ground, anything that threatens a tank can threaten us as well," he said.
According to N., the most significant threat is when the helicopter is on the ground, either delivering soldiers to a target or receiving wounded.
"We train to be on the ground the minimal amount of time," he stressed. "In the exercise this week we quickly unloaded fighters, and in 20 seconds were already in the air. When it comes to loading, mainly of wounded soldiers, it's more complicated. To minimize the threat against the helicopters and the troops as much as possible, the squadron trains with the various units on a routine basis."
