A combined United States European Command (US EUCOM) and Israel defense forces (IDF) exercise will start today

[Gaia]

Via The Times of Israel

Israel’s security forces will be tested rigorously in the upcoming days as they take part in two major drills aimed to test their ability to face both natural disasters and war.

The largest-ever joint Israeli and American military drill was set to begin on Sunday at the same time that the country’s emergency services will be participating in the first-ever earthquake preparedness drill.

In Austere Challenge 12, a total of 3,500 American and Israeli troops were set to take part in a month-long air defense simulation exercise. The drill will run until after the US presidential elections on November 6 and will simulate many of the aerial threats that Israel faces: a multi-front attack with mortars, rockets, drones, and short and long range ballistic missiles.

The David’s Sling short range missile protection system will be tested along with multiple Iron Dome batteries, advanced Patriot batteries and Arrow 2, Israel’s medium range missile defense system. Most of the action will be simulated with only a small component of live fire.