US, Israeli air forces execute fighter escort, refueling exercise

Ninth Air Force (U.S. Air Forces Central) F-15E Strike Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons, and KC-10 Extenders participated in a bilateral exercise with Israeli air force F-35 Lightning IIs and F-16s over the Eastern Mediterranean Sea Nov. 29 and 30. The exercise focused on fighter integration and refueling operations.

"This bilateral exercise demonstrates CENTCOM's commitment to regional security," said U.S. Army Gen. Michael "Erik" Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command. "CENTCOM routinely demonstrates the ability to rapidly insert combat airpower into operations and exercises with our partners, and our ability to do the same across all domains decisively is a powerful deterrent."

This exercise marks what is anticipated to be the first of several designed to improve bilateral aerial capability between the U.S. and Israeli air forces since the Joint Declaration on the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership was adopted in Jerusalem earlier this year.

U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Israeli Air Force F-35 Lightening II fly in formation as part of a bilateral exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 29, 2022. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo) — U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles and Israeli air force F-35 Lightening II fly in formation as part of a bilateral exercise in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 29, 2022. (U.S. Air Force courtesy photo)

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