From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Israeli Air Force resumes training exercises following halt since October 7
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The Israeli Air Force has returned to carrying out exercises, which had largely been on hold since the onset of the war on October 7.
The military says it has approved a new training program for the IAF amid the war, with an emphasis on preparing for war in the north.
The IDF says that as the war began on October 7, the IAF “froze the annual training program and all resources and attention were directed to the war effort.”
For the past few weeks the IAF has gradually been returning to training, and a new program was recently approved, the IDF says.
“The training program will focus on increasing the Air Force’s readiness for war in the northern arena and in other theaters, amid prolonged combat,” the IDF says in a statement.
The IDF says the drills will include “massive, long-range strikes, flights deep in enemy territory, decision-making in war conditions… and surprise exercises will be held for the various units.”
According to the IDF, the drills have been adapted to not harm the IAF’s routine operations amid the war in the Gaza Strip and on other fronts.
The Times of Israel Community.