The U.S. and Israel yesterday kicked off Juniper Oak 23.2, a bilateral, live-fire exercise that takes place in both Israel and the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the largest and most significant exercise U.S. and Israel have engaged in together and is intended to demonstrate that the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad and enduring. The exercise, enhances the U.S. ability to respond to contingencies and underscores the U.S. commitment to the Middle East region. Throughout the week-long engagement, more than 140 aircraft, 12 naval vessels, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and multiple-launch rocket systems will be used during this combined, joint, all-domain exercise, increasing our ability to interoperate on land, in the air, at sea, in space and in cyberspace.
Participants in Juniper Oak will exercise U.S. and Israeli command and control capabilities, air operations in maritime surface warfare, and combat search and rescue abilities. U.S. and Israeli partners will also work together to enhance interoperability on electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, strike coordination and reconnaissance, and air interdiction. This exercise is focused on interoperability and strengthening security relationship in terms of working together. As evidenced by most recently, the counter-ISIS campaign, the ability to pull air forces together seamlessly and operate in a way that is going to be effective is vital. This is one aspect of that, although the exercise is obviously more than just about airpower.
This exercise strengthens collective U.S.-Israeli readiness and improves the interoperability of both forces, thereby contributing to regional stability. Exercises like Juniper Oak show that interoperability and integration represent the improved security in the region. Consistent with CENTCOM’s strategic approach of People, Partners, and Innovation, we are committed to strengthening military-to-military relations throughout the region. Juniper Oak is a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves our interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with partners, enhances ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores commitment to the Middle East.
This exercise will include a large-scale live fire event with over 140 aircraft including B-52s, F-35s, F-15s, F-16s, FA-18s, AC-130, AH64s, 12 naval vessels, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems. Juniper Oak 23.2 integrates many military assets and missions, including: Strategic bombers, Fighter aircraft, Rescue aircraft, Refueling aircraft, Naval forces, Ground long-range precision fires, Air long-range precision fires, Rotary wing aircraft, Space Force assets, Special Operations Forces and Infantry forces. These kinds of exercises develop interoperability between military forces, increase military capabilities, and are important to the security and stability of the region. The lessons learned during these exercises are exportable to U.S. partners across the region.
