![\"\"](\"http:\/\/spaceweekly.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/israel-f-35-fighter-jet.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Yesterday, (Sunday), the \u201cEnduring Lightning\u201d exercise in southern Israel \u2013 joint training between Israeli \u201cAdir\u201d (F-35I) aircraft from the IAF\u2019s 140 squadron (\u201cGolden Eagle\u201d), alongside F-35 aircraft operated by the USAF\u2019s (United States Air Force) 34th Fighter Squadron, has come to an end.<\/p>\n
The IAF\u2019s 122 squadron (\u201cNahshon\u201d), which operates the \u201cNahshon\u201d (Gulfstream G-500) Control Aircraft, also participated in the exercise, during which the teams faced various aerial and ground threats in advanced 5th generation aircraft.<\/p>\n
Number One Partner<\/strong> \u201cThe Americans are our number one partner\u201d, shares Maj. T, Head of the IAF\u2019s International Exercises Department. \u201cI see great importance in cooperating on the most advanced plane in our collection with us as hosts. The IAF finds it important to work together with the Americans, leaders of the F-35 project, see how they operate, learn from them, and strengthen cooperation in the field of cutting-edge aviation technology\u201d.<\/p>\n Maj. M, leader of the exercise on behalf of the 140 squadron, adds: \u201cThis will be the second time we\u2019ll fly alongside an American F-35. We aspire to stay as connected as possible to countries involved in its development project, and training with the Americans presents an excellent opportunity to do so since they have a lot of knowledge and expertise on the matter. The exercise we conducted was intimate. The forces flew in two formations of four, and communicated directly as opposed to through an indirect channel\u201d.<\/p>\n Home Court<\/strong> The exercise laid a foundation for more of its kind in the IAF\u2019s home court \u2013 Israel. \u201cWe intend to create an exercise so it will eventually become a home court exercise\u201d, explains Maj. T. \u201cIn other words, we aspire to train like we did yesterday with American forces here in Israel regularly\u201d.<\/p>\n
\nThis is the third time \u201cAdir\u201d aircraft train alongside foreign F-35\u2019s. In June of 2019, the IAF, USAF, and RAF (Royal Air Force), joint training exercise \u201cTri-Lightning\u201d took place. Additionally, in November of 2019, the international \u201cBlue Flag\u201d exercise hosted Italian F-35\u2019s, and as stated, this week, the IAF\u2019s \u201cAdir\u201d aircraft trained alongside its American counterpart. What\u2019s unique about the current exercise is its location \u2013 for the first time, American F-35 aircraft participated in a joint training exercise above Israeli skies.<\/p>\n
\nThe exercise was held exclusively in the air, with no face-to-face encounters between Israeli and American teams. Additionally, debriefings and briefings were conducted using classified communications devices \u2013 all due to the worldwide COVID-19 outbreak. \u201cDuring these times, holding this international training exercise with the world\u2019s most advanced flight platforms, while facing limitations \u2013 should not be taken for granted\u201d, describes Maj. T.<\/p>\n