Areas in Romania are said to be similar to the topography in Iran.
By Aryeh Savir, TPS
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is participating in the “Blue Sky” aerial exercise in Romania, for the first time since 2010.
The IAF 131st Squadron, also known as the Yellow Bird Squadron, with its C-130E transport planes, and the 103rd Squadron, also known as the Elephants Squadron, with its C-130J Super Hercules transport planes, deployed forces in Romania on Sunday.
As part of the exercise, the forces will train in “many and varied combat scenarios in enemy territory, with an emphasis on flying in an unfamiliar area at low altitude, day and night.”
The pilots will also practice navigation and landings in complex topography, with an emphasis on safe, accurate, and professional training.
Areas in Romania are said to be similar to the topography in Iran.
IAF Brigadier General Gilad Keinan, Commander of the Nevatim Airbase, said that “training the Air Force in the skies of Romania is an opportunity for us to challenge ourselves, to improve and intensify beyond the borders of the State of Israel. This is an important and significant exercise for the heavy transport system and the Air Force to strengthen the operational capability and competence of the corps and its personnel. ”
This is the first Israeli military exercise to take place on Romanian soil since the fatal accident on 26 July 2010, when an IAF Sikorsky CH-53 Yas’ur helicopter crashed during a training flight in the Carpathian Mountains during the joint Romanian-Israeli Blue Sky 2010 aviation military exercise.
All on board the aircraft were killed, including four Israeli pilots, two Israeli mechanics, and one Romanian liaison officer.