2-week joint session held at Greek base to train in "unfamiliar terrain"; goal to increase cooperation with foreign air forces, says IDF commander.| No comment on the subject from Turkey, with whom the IAF used to do joint training, before they realized the Israelis were icky Juices. |
The training was held at the Larisa Air Force Base in Greece and the IAF sent three helicopter squadrons -- Squadron 124 and 123 which fly Black Hawk transport helicopters and Squadron 113 which flies Apache Longbow attack helicopters.
Israel and Greece have held a number of joint air maneuvers in recent years ever since the IAF got locked out of Turkey due to the deterioration in political ties following Operation Cast Lead against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in 2009. "The purpose of the exercise is to train in unfamiliar terrain," explained Brig.-Gen. Yoav, commander of the IAF's Palmahim Base where the squadrons are based. "The second goal is to increase our cooperation with foreign air forces."
In addition to the helicopter training, the IAF also sent its 669 Search and Rescue Unit to Greece for joint training with its Greek counterpart.
Additional deployments are scheduled later this year in Sardinia and Romania, where the IAF is expected to return for joint maneuvers later this summer for the first time since six servicemen were killed in a helicopter crash in the Carpathian Mountains last July. IAF C-130 Hercules transport aircraft will fly to Romania for joint maneuvers in August. IAF commander Maj.-Gen. Ido Nehushtan is also scheduled to fly to Romania later this year for a joint memorial service for the servicemen who were killed.