8 countries took part in Israel's largest-ever air drill - here are the impressive photos
REUTERS/Amir Cohen
The largest air drill in the Israeli Air Force's history, "Blue Flag 2017" at the Israel's Ouvda Air Force Base in Southern Israel concluded last week.
With some 1,000 personnel from eight countries, the excesses are meant "to simulate extreme combat scenarios and coalition flights as realistically as possible," and involved jets, drones, helicopters, and air defenses, as well as ground units.
Blue Flag 2017 was marked with a number of firsts, including the participation of the German, Indian, and French Air Forces for the first time, who joined past participants Israel, the United States, Poland, Italy, and Greece.
The base's Israeli commander noted the meaning ul nature of Germany's participation in the drill, given the European country's role in the Holocaust.
"Seeing the Luftwaffe airplanes entering our hangars - it's something I'll always remember," Col. Itamar told the Times of Israel.
Here's the impressive pictures of the eight Air Forces:
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