US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on Sunday, 11 Iyar 5773 visited Yad Vashem. He was accompanied by Defense Minister Moshe Ya�alon as they visited the Holocaust History Museum, participated in a Memorial Ceremony in the Hall of Remembrance, visited the Children�s Memorial and signed the Yad Vashem Guest Book.

Hagel is in Israel for his first visit since being appointed after President Barak Obama was elected to a second term in office.

During his visit, Secretary Hagel will offer Israel America�s V-22 Osprey aircraft, billed as an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability. It is designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. He will also be offering advanced mid-air fueling planes (KC-135) that will permit IAF fighter planes to remain in the air longer and other weapons systems.

The visit will permit Hagel and Ya�alon to establish a working relationship as they are both new in their senior posts.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)