U.S. and Israel hold joint computer-based battle simulation (3/20/08)

United States and Israeli military officers held a joint computer-based battle simulation exercise, codenamed “Juniper Falcon,” designed to improve coordination between the two countries’ armed forces. About 200 U.S. and Israeli soldiers participated in the exercise over a four-day period. The joint simulation was part of a general agreement between the two countries to to hold regular joint training exercises aimed at boosting “interoperability, understanding and cooperation,” said a military statement released after the exercise was completed. The exercise had been planned nearly a year in advance, and was not in response to the current situation that Israel faces in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the Israeli military’s southern command held a separate drill based on the scenario of esacalation of conflict in Gaza, codenamed “Coiled Spring.” Defense officials stressed, however, that this drill should not be seen as a precusor for a real offensive of IDF forces in Gaza.