The Israeli and American air forces on Sunday launched a joint drill, the latest in a series of exercises apparently aimed at readying the Israel Defense Forces for a potential strike in Iran.

B-52 and Israeli aircraft integrate during Juniper Oak 23, January 2023 (Photo: Israeli army)

In a statement Monday, the Israeli army said the drill would include the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carrying out airstrikes against “strategic targets in the depth,” an apparent reference to Iran’s nuclear facilities. Additionally, the air drills would simulate “achieving aerial superiority in the region and cyber ​​defense against a variety of threats,” the Israeli army said.

During the drill, IAF fighter jets were to refuel from an American Boeing KC-46, of which Israel has ordered four and is expected to receive the first in 2025. For Israel, the KC-46 aircraft are seen as necessary to conduct potential major strikes against targets in Iran, some 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) from Israel and far outside the normal flight range of Israeli jets.

The exercise continues and strengthens the operational cooperation between the militaries and takes place as part of the series of IDF exercises with the US Central Command, the Israeli military said.

Israel regularly conducts training drills with the US military, including air force exercises and missile defense drills. On last January 23-26, the United States and Israel held their largest-ever bilateral military exercise, involving 7,900 personnel (6,400 Americans and 1,500 Israelis), 142 combat aircraft (100 American, 42 Israeli), twelve warships (the George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and six Israeli vessels, including a submarine), and activities across all domains (sea, air, land, space, and cyber). 

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