BICOM

Israel Air Force pilots will reportedly fly alongside counterparts from Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as they participate in an upcoming major American training exercise.

The IDF confirmed that an Israeli delegation will take part in the Red Flag air-to-air combat exercise in Nevada later this month.

A spokesman said: “Red Flag is a high quality and unique exercise. Once the IAF was invited to participate, it accepted.”

Israel is set to send F-16 fighters, plus cargo planes, pilots and land crew.

Although the United States will not disclose which other forces will be participating, various aviation publications say that crews from the UAE and Pakistan will be involved. The Aviationist reported that Pakistani F-16s landed in Portugal ten days ago, on their way to the exercise.

Israel does not have official diplomatic relations with either country. A WikiLeaks document suggested that covert contacts exist between Israeli and Pakistani security officials. Meanwhile, Israel recently opened a mission in Abu Dhabi out of the headquarters of the United Nations’ International Renewable Energy Agency, which is based there. Dore Gold, the Director General of Israel’s Foreign Ministry visited the UAE last year.

Red Flag is considered the United States’ premier air-to-air combat training exercise and an important opportunity to train with allied air forces. Last year was the first time that Israel has participated in the exercise since 2009. Israeli and Jordanian air forces are reported to have flown alongside each other.

In a further aviation development, the United States announced yesterday that an initial delivery to Israel of US-made F-35 stealth fighter jets is “ready for combat”. The announcement was made by Gen. Herbert J. ‘Hawk’ Carlisle, commander of the US Air Combat Command, who called the F-35 “the most dominant aircraft in our inventory”. The first squadron is expected to arrive in Israel in December. In total, Israel has purchased 33 of the aircraft.