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- TEL AVIV - A recent
joint exercise between the IAF and US Navy Sixth Fleet pilots apparently
resulted in a thorough routing of the US pilots, according to the latest
edition of Air Force Monthly.
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- The American-based magazine said the exercise in question
took place in the Negev skies and involved engagements between IAF F-16s
and US Navy F-14s and F/A-18s.
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- Quoting Israeli military sources, the magazine said one
of the exercises ended with the score of 40:1 in favor of the IAF. The
magazine said Israel "downed" 220 aircraft for the loss of just
20 of its own.
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- It said that the results have not been officially published
"to save the reputations of the US Navy pilots."
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- The magazine did not say when the exercise took place.
But security sources said that the dogfights took place about three months
ago. They said the exercise was the first time that Israeli pilots actually
took part in the maneuvers and didn't just give logistical support. Israeli
pilots have also flown with various flight academies as guests or students.
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- The IAF said it does not give detailed results of training
exercises. But air force commanders were said to be incensed by the report.
While refusing to confirm or deny the report, military sources said neither
Israel or the US had officially released the "scores."
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- "We showed an arrogance we didn't mean to display,"
one senior IAF officer said.
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