US Joint Chiefs Chair in Israel to Oversee Military Exercise

Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey, is in Israel to oversee the largest defense drill of its kind, currently under way. Dempsey was welcomed by an honor guard in Tel Aviv and is meeting with Israeli military and defense officials. He is touring the area where the exercise, Austere Challenge 12, is being held. Some 1,000 U.S. soldiers are in Israel for the exercise, along with 2,000 U.S. troops in Europe and the U.S. A similar number of Israeli soldiers are taking part. The exercise involves computer simulation of long- and medium-range missile attacks on the Israeli home front, and their interception. Although planned last year, the exercise is also being seen as a reminder to Iran of the close ties between the U.S. and Israel.