IDF launches surprise IAF exercise to prepare for war with Hezbollah

“Vered Hagalil” drill focused on improving the IAF’s readiness for combat in the North.

The IAF is conducting a training exercise to prepare for the possibility of war in the North, the IDF announced Monday.

The drill, called Vered Hagalil, began on Sunday, it said in a press release. It is being carried out under the direction of OC IAF Maj.-Gen. Amikam Norkin and is designed to improve the air force’s readiness for combat in the North, it said.

During the exercise, a greater amount of IAF aircraft, jets and helicopters will be noticeable across the country, and a number of explosions may be heard in the North. The exercise is expected to end on Wednesday.

The exercise simulates combat scenarios on the northern front and will test all components of the IAF’s core missions, including maintaining aerial superiority, protecting the country’s skies, attacking and gathering intelligence, the IDF said.

The exercise will examine the planning, control and execution processes of these missions, as well as end-to-end logistics and technological capabilities, with an emphasis on maintaining aerial freedom of action and full functional continuity, the press release said.