Israel and U.S. officials on Monday inaugurated the first permanent American military base in 1948 occupied Palestine which will bring dozens of U.S. troops and a missile defense system to the area.
According to Israeli and US sources the facility will include barracks and several other buildings for U.S. troops to be stationed in southern Israel as well as systems to identify and intercept various aerial threats. It will operate under Israeli military directives.
Israeli Air Force Brig. Gen. Zvika Haimovich claimed the base is largely to serve as “a joint Israeli and American effort to sustain and enhance our defensive capabilities” and will not bring operational changes such as training or exercises.
“It’s a message that says Israel is better prepared. It’s a message that says Israel is improving the response to threats” Haimovich the commander of Israel’s aerial defense told the Associated Press.
