Israeli AF looking for European and Asian training airspace

[Stratofreighter]

But European means "(far) Eastern Europe"...
http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Article.aspx?id=173299" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Locked out of Turkey, IAF now searching for space to drill
By YAAKOV KATZ

16/04/2010 01:52

Air Force has its eyes on Europe and Asia as it searches for new training grounds for its fighter jets with an emphasis on long-range missions.

Refused permission to fly in Turkish airspace, the Israel Air Force has its eyes on Europe and Asia as it searches for new training grounds for its fighter jets with an emphasis on long-range missions.

In recent years, due to the various threats it faces, primarily from Iran, the IAF has increased its long-range training missions. Most notable was in 2008, when 100 IAF aircraft flew over Greece in an exercise that was perceived as a dress rehearsal for a strike against Iran.

Until Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip last winter, the IAF frequently flew over Turkey, and it had participated in several annual exercises with the Turkish Air Force. Following the offensive against Hamas and the deterioration in Israeli-Turkish relations, Ankara has refused to allow Israel to deploy its fighter jets in Turkey.

“We are looking for new places where we can fly,” a senior IAF officer said recently.

As a result, the Defense Ministry is looking to continue an agreement it signed in 2006 that allows Israeli fighter jets to deploy in Romania. The IAF has sent jets to Romania for training in 2007 and plans to deploy aircraft there again later this year.

Last May, the French newsweekly L’Express reported that the IAF had staged military exercises over Gibraltar, about 4,000 km. away from Israel.

It is possible that the flyover by two IAF Gulfstream reconnaissance aircraft in Hungary last month was also part of an air force exercise in Europe. The appearance of Israeli military aircraft in Hungarian airspace triggered a political controversy that culminated this week in the dismissal of the head of the air traffic department at Hungary’s Transportation Ministry.

“Our ties with Turkey will never return to be the way they once were,” a senior defense official said on Thursday. “It is unlikely that under the current government in Ankara we will be allowed to fly there again.”

[Flyingdutchman]

I'd say we have some spare TRA's, let the Israeli SUFA's come!

[Hurricane]

IAF + Twenthe AFB (Vliehorstrange)???

[ENGAED]

Beja AFB in Portugal it´s a nice place to train.

[wamovements]

I do not think it will be Turkey

[jah wise]

I do not think it will be Turkey

Twenthe is in The Nethelands

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/gr ... k/19497445" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Greece Cancels War-Games With Israel Over Attack

Anthee Carassava

AOL News ATHENS, Greece (May 31) -- Greece on Monday called off a joint air force exercise with Israel after Israeli commandos stormed a flotilla bound to the Gaza Strip, leaving at least nine dead and several injured in an operation condemned as a "massacre."

"This deplorable incident, which took place in open seas and constitutes a fragrant breach of international law, may lead to irreparable consequences in our bilateral relations," said a Turkish Foreign Ministry statement.

Moments later, Greece, a long-time NATO rival, called off a joint air force exercise with Israel. The war-games -- codenamed Minoas 2010 -- were due to run through June 3, featuring simulated air combat and attacks on ground forces.

Activists said 35 Greek nationals were participating in the Freedom Flotilla that had set out from Cyprus Sunday, on the last leg of what organizers hoped would be a successful attempt to break Israel's siege of Gaza, governed by the Islamist Hamas organization.

"We are not certain whether any of the Greeks are among the fatalities or injured," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Grigoris Delavitouras. "We are still waiting for the Israeli authorities to inform us."

He said Athens had lodged a demarche with the government in Tel Aviv, demanding "explanations on the whereabouts and condition" of its citizens.

And previously:
http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain ... service=98" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Greek-Israeli air exercise

A Greek-Israeli air exercise with the codename "Minoas 2010" is taking place between Tuesday and June 3 in the framework of the military cooperation programme between the two countries' air forces.

The exercise is developing on the mainland, the Ionian Sea and the Aegean sea and participating on the Israeli side are five F16s and five F15s and 15 Greek F16s that have been stationed at the 110 squadron in Souda.

As part of the exercise, training will take place of the crews of the participating aircraft, in air refuelling by the Israeli tanker KC-807 and for this purpose three regions have been bound in the northern Aegean, the central Ionian and south of Crete.

In parallel, the crews of Greek aircraft not participating in the exercise will also have the possibility of training in air refuelling.