TOI reports that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) staged a major long-range strike drill in Greece this week, the latest in a series of drills aimed at preparing the military for a potential strike on Iran and its nuclear facilities.

The Israeli military said Thursday that the joint two-day-long drill with the Hellenic Air Force included long-range flights, aerial refueling, low-altitude flights and the use of live fire.

During the drill, dozens of IAF fighter jets, as well as spy planes and refueling aircraft, flew thousands of kilometers from Israel to Greece and back, the Israel Defense Forces said.

“In Greek territory, the fighter jets practiced low-altitude flights and dropping live ammunition in designated areas,” the IDF said.

The IDF said the drill was carried out under “particularly challenging” weather conditions, but despite this, all the mock targets were destroyed. Greece experienced major flooding caused by Mediterranean storm Daniel over the last week.

Fighter jets of the Hellenic Air Force joined the IAF warplanes during their long-range flights into Greek territory, which the IDF said is aimed at “mutual learning.”

The commander of the 106th squadron, Lt. Col. “Mem” — who can only be identified by the first letter of his first name in Hebrew — said there were two main goals to the drill.

“The first is cooperation with Greece, which includes mutual learning… and the second is improving the IAF’s readiness. Dealing with long-range flights, with weather challenges… lacking intelligence, and sometimes with very complex missions,” he said.

“The exercise is part of a series of exercises and models carried out by the IAF in the past year and their purpose is to improve operational and mental competence for long-range flights, refueling, attacks in the depth [of enemy territory] and achieving air superiority,” the IDF said.

Several more drills of this type will be held this year, the military added.

Source - TOI/X - Image - IDF