US Navy begins Exercise Juniper Oak with Israel in East Med.

According to information published by the US DoD on January 23, 2023, U.S. Central Command and the Israel Defense Forces begin Exercise Juniper Oak 23.2 in Israel and the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.
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Sa'ar 5 class corvette and Sa'ar 4.5 class missile boat. (Picture source: Israeli MoD)

The exercise will simulate target strikes and training in complex terrain while integrating joint communication and command and control systems.

Israeli Navy missile boats and a submarine will maneuver in tandem with an American aircraft carrier. Additionally, an American tanker will refuel Israeli Sa'ar 5-class corvettes in offshore waters to increase the IDF's area and range of operation in both routine and emergency scenarios.

During the exercise, the U.S. and Israeli air forces, navies, and ground forces will conduct coordinated strikes against targets representing maritime threats.

The Israeli Air Force and U.S. Air Force will simulate training in different types of terrain with several fighter and transport aircraft, rescue helicopters, RPAs, reconnaissance aircraft, and American bombers, which will drop live munitions across southern Israel.

Also taking part in the exercise are Israeli "Re'em" refueling aircraft, future IAF refueling aircraft, and American KC-46 refueling tankers, which will refuel fighter aircraft and bombers.

The Israeli Ground Forces and U.S. Army will perform a joint training drill consisting of ground maneuvering and dozens of rocket launches, during which long-range rockets will be launched from the American HIMARS.

About the Sa'ar 5-class corvettes

Sa'ar 5-class corvettes are a class of missile corvettes built by Israel Shipyards for the Israeli Navy. They are designed for long-range engagements and have a variety of capabilities including anti-ship and anti-air missiles, as well as electronic warfare systems. The ships are also equipped with radar and sonar systems for detection and tracking of surface and subsurface targets.

The ships have a displacement of 1,500 tons and are approximately 90 meters in length. They have a top speed of over 30 knots and a range of up to 4,500 nautical miles.

The vessels are equipped with a variety of weapons systems, including the Barak 8 long-range surface-to-air missile system and the Gabriel 5 anti-ship missile system.