The IDF’s Northern Command on Thursday announced the completion of a major preparedness exercise to enable soldiers to maintain their professional skills.

Learning lessons from the Second Lebanon War, this operation focused on cooperation between land, air and sea units. The operation measured the abilities of regular and reserve duty forces regarding a sudden escalation of hostilities along the northern border with Syria and Hizbullah. The simulations, which began on Sunday, included rocket attacks into the northern areas.

Some senior commanders were on hand to actually take part in the exercise, not just observe, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, who reportedly was involved in one helicopter gunship exercise.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)