Juniper Cobra

A very brief post as I have to get back to reading about how the Ottoman Empire imploded on itself.

Currently, a joint exercise between the IDF and the United States is being conducted just a few kilometers from our dorms at one of Tel Aviv's many beaches. This is the fifth consecutive year that the U.S. and Israel have held these maneuvers. This is the largest joint exercise ever between the IDF and the U.S. military.

Dubbed Juniper Cobra, the exercise includes testing Israel's newly-developed Arrow 2 as well as the United State's THAAD (Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense) and ship-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.

The only logical reason for the conduction of these exercises is preparation for any potential conflict with Iran--a scenario that seems ever more likely.

Yesterday, Ryan and Dominique rode their bikes out to a beach we typically visit only to be turned away by a streaming contingent of IDF soldiers. I'm withholding the name of said beach out of precaution. It's unlikely that divulging the information would cause harm, but it is a possibility. There are people in Brazil, France, Jordan, and elsewhere reading this blog.

And just a few moments ago, the tell-tale roar of F-16's reverberated overhead. We've been told that U.S. Marines are on maneuvers throughout the coastline of Israel and in portions of Tel Aviv. I've yet to see them around, but the number of uniformed IDF personnel in and around Ramat Aviv has definitely skyrocketed in recent days.

The exercise will continue through Friday.

להתראות

-Drew