Joint training operations between US and Israeli troops are increasing, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs says:

In related news, the IDF just announced that it intends to switch IDF combat uniforms to the same type as worn by U.S. Marines. The main difference is that the new uniforms are wrinkle-free, have extra pockets, more breathing holes and Velcro at the chest and shoulder for name and unit patches.

Austere Challenge – U.S. Army and IDF Joint Exercise

The U.S. Army, seeking to increase cooperation with the IDF, will hold one of the largest joint exercises in the two nations’ history in 2012. Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, Commander of U.S. Army Europe, told the Jerusalem Post that the IDF and the U.S. Army would hold a massive ground forces exercise in Spring 2012 that will be part of the multi-phase Austere Challenge exercise series conducted by the U.S. European Command (EUCOM). Israel is part of EUCOM’s area of responsibility. Despite its location, pressure from Arab states has kept Israel from inclusion in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) which stretches from Egypt to Kazakhstan and includes Israel’s neighbors Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

Austere Challenge will be the largest joint exercise between the two forces ever held and will feature the establishment of American command posts in Israel and IDF command posts at EUCOM headquarters in Germany.