USEUCOM readies to participate with IDF in Exercise Juniper Cobra 2018

  • Published
  • U.S. European Command Public Affairs
STUTTGART, Germany --  In accordance with long-standing bilateral agreements, U.S. European Command will participate with the Israeli Defense Forces in a combined missile defense exercise known as Juniper Cobra 18, March 4-15. Activities and preparations associated with the exercise began in late January and will continue through late March.

JC18 is the ninth in a series of biennial Juniper Cobra exercises conducted in Israel between the IDF and USEUCOM every two years since 2001. JC18 is part of a routine training cycle designed to improve the interoperability of U.S. and IDF defense systems. Planning for JC18 started in late 2016.

“The United States and Israel enjoy a strong and enduring military to military partnership built on a trust that has been developed over decades of cooperation," said U.S. Air Force Third Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, who also serves as the commander for the deploying Joint Task Force-Israel. "The Juniper Cobra exercises continue to strengthen this relationship, providing us with the opportunity to bolster interoperability and develop seamless integration with our Israeli partners."

More than 2,500 U.S. personnel ashore and afloat will participate in JC18 – more than 2,100 of those personnel at various locations within Israel – with a similar number of IDF personnel. The exercise is a welcome opportunity for USEUCOM and the IDF to exercise together and to learn from each other.

JC18 represents another step in the strategic relationship between the U.S. and Israel, and contributes to regional stability.

During the course of the exercise, limited numbers of U.S. forces will be temporarily deployed to a number of locations throughout Israel in the vicinity of civilian population areas. Troop movements and other activities may be noticed by the civilian population. The exercise will follow protections and practices that are in place for minimal environmental impact.

While some U.S. personnel will remain in Israel for additional training
opportunities, the majority are scheduled to depart upon completion of this exercise.