The recent conclusion of a two-week maritime exercise between the Israeli and American navies has been reported. The exercise, which commenced on August 1 was situated off the shores of Haifa and marked another instance of cooperation between the Israeli Navy and the U.S. 5th Fleet.
The commander of Israel's Snapir naval unit, Lt. Ido Niv told The Times of Israel that the primary goal of this joint operation, named Intrinsic Defender, was to strengthen ties between the two forces. He further asserted that such collaborations hold immense value for his unit, as they afford opportunities to enhance their own capabilities by tapping into the wealth of expertise possessed by their American counterparts.
Lt. Niv further described the exercise as undertaking activities encompassing maritime detection and monitoring, simulated search and rescue missions, the boarding of hostile vessels, and rapid responses to terrorist threats.
The exercise featured the participation of a specialized U.S. Navy explosive ordnance disposal dive team, a U.S. Coast Guard maritime engagement team, and a global health engagement team. The U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Cole, and dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra also took part in the exercise.
This exercise signifies another instance in a string of collaborations between the 5th Fleet and the Israeli Navy. Over the past two years, a total of 18 joint drills have been conducted, complemented by numerous coordinated patrols across the region.
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