Austere Challenge 2012 Press Conference by Master Sgt. Ryan Kruse U.S. European Command Combat Camera 10/30/2012 - TZUK, Israel -- Joint Task Force Commander U.S. Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin and Israel's Air Defense Force Commander Brig. Gen. Shachar Shohat held a press conference it Tzuk, Israel, about Austere Challenge 2012 . Austere Challenge 2012 is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries. Also available in high definition.