fbpx

US Air Force Chief David Goldfein Visits Israel

[additional-authors]
November 17, 2019
Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, David Goldfein, meet in Jerusalem on Nov. 14, 2019. (Haim Zach/GPO)

(JTA) — The chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, David Goldfein, visited Israel.

Goldfein was participating in the Blue Flag joint military exercise, a 10-day exercise in which 70 combat planes from five air forces fly against each other in 19 sorties across six different locations around the country. The exercise ended on Thursday and had gone on despite the hundreds of rockets that were shot at southern and central Israeli civilian from Gaza.

Goldfein met on Friday with Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi and Israeli Air Force Commander Amikam Norkin, who presented the Goldfein with the Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation.

Goldfein and Norkin reportedly flew together and “discussed military cooperation between the two countries, the Blue Flag exercise, the air force’s transition to fifth-generation jets as well as security, cooperation and strategic matters,” the IDF said in a statement.

He met with Israeli President Reuven Rivlin on Thursday evening. Rivlin emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Israel’s security policy, and the unparalleled cooperation between the armed forces of the two countries in joint exercises and other fields, read a statement from his office.

“The U.S and Israel enjoy a strong and enduring military-to-military partnership, one we’ve built upon trust developed over decades of cooperation. What an honor and privilege to be here in Israel today. We thank you all for your hospitality, and look forward to building on our already rock-solid alliance,” Goldfein told Rivlin.

Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

Trump Bombs Amalek

For the benefit of Israelis as well as peace lovers everywhere and the good people of Iran, we can only hope that this Amalek will take Trump’s advice before he gets angry again.

The Year Badass Israel Made a Comeback

As far as Israel’s neighbors are concerned, from its sworn enemies to its potential allies, the weak Israel that hit rock bottom on Oct. 7 is long gone, and in its place is a Badass Israel that is ready to help transform the region.

How to Hold on to Eternity

The commandment of tzitzit tells the story of a relationship between the Jews and God, one that would never go out of fashion.

Print Issue: The Lion Rises | June 20, 2025

Israel is effectively telling the mullahs that their attempts to terrorize Israelis with their genocidal threats will no longer be tolerated; Israel isn’t just fighting against a nuclear bomb — it’s fighting against the human bomb of emotional terror.

More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.