US, Israel Launch ‘Most Significant’ Military Drills in History in Message to Iran

On Monday, the US and Israel launched massive military drills, which one Pentagon official speaking to NBC News described as the “most significant exercise between the United States and Israel to date.”

The drills, dubbed Juniper Oak 23, will last until Friday and will involve about 6,400 US troops, 1,100 Israeli personnel, 142 different types of aircraft, and 12 warships. The exercise is taking place in Israel and the eastern Mediterranean and is seen as a message to Iran and other US “adversaries” in the region.

The different types of aircraft include B-52 bombers, fighter jets, and refueling aircraft, and a US aircraft carrier strike group is among the warships participating. According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), the drills will involve a “large-scale live-fire event.”

“Juniper Oak is a Combined Joint All-Domain exercise which improves our interoperability on land, in the air, at sea, in space, and in cyberspace with our partners, enhances our ability to respond to contingencies, and underscores our commitment to the Middle East,” said Gen. Michael Kurilla, the head of CENTCOM.