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The story behind first permanent US base in Israel

The United States has inaugurated its first military base in Israel, housing a powerful US provided and operated radar system.
An Israeli soldier (L) helps to roll up the Israeli and American flags after an honor guard ceremony held for General Joseph Dunford, the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 9, 2017. REUTERS/Nir Elias - RC157C6035A0

A festive ceremony on an Israeli Air Defense Command base drew no special attention. The Sept. 18 ceremony in the Negev desert dedicated a first of its kind in Israel’s history: a permanent American military base, to be staffed with dozens of uniformed American soldiers, within an Israeli air force base. It’s an open secret that the Americans have warehouses for ammunition and strategic equipment in Israel for emergency situations, but until now there were no real military bases. For the first time, the American military will have a physical foothold within Israeli territory.

“This is a historic day when we dedicate a base with our most important ally, the United States, here in the Negev,” said the commander of Israel's aerial defense at the ceremony, which was attended by American generals as well. Brig. Gen. Zvika Haimovich went on, “This is the first time a permanent American base is situated within one of our bases, and it proves the strategic commitment of the two militaries and two air defense commands. It is an important moment in the State of Israel’s air defense against high-trajectory fire that would attack us from far and near. And it adds to the capability that is growing year by year.”

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