Austere Challenge 2012

[hammarö]

Exercise Austere Challenge 2012 ongoing with US (2500/1000 on Israeli ground) and Israel (1000).

3 week anti ballistic missile defence exercise.

Commander of exercise is US Lt Gen Craigh A. Franklin of 3 US Air Force commander (Ramstein).

US troops involved on grounds Israel, Turkey, Germany, Mediterranean, UK, US.

Although no combat aircraft involved, is the overall commander in charge of all USAFE combat aircraft in area.
Exercise started 1 jan 2012 but postponed by Israel due to avoid possible escalation with Iran.
Japan involved.

Restarted again 29 oct. (Flags) with Dempsey (JCS) in Israel.

Exercises in region:
Austere Challenge 2012 - Alpha 5/7 ADA in Tzuk, Israel, chemical defence test,
Juniper Stallion 2012 (hq Ex)
Juniper Cobra 2012 Navy SM-3
(Eager Lion 2012 Jordan Special Forces)

Only aircraft involvment known for me is Flight transports.

[Hieloitaly]

but there are also Italian and French?

[hammarö]

Mission and involvement? (Maybee source or are you personnaly involved?).

The exercise is also a form of function test, were new equipment are functionally tested.

For exampel is the new AN/TPY-2 in Turkey in service with functions tests. Certainly with use of different electronic aircraft, such as RC-135 and different drones.

Units involved cover whole Europe and parts of Asia.