Voa Analysis: What military aid is the US providing to Israel?

2023-10-13 20:22:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Hours after the start of the horrific Hamas attack, the United States began sending warships and aircraft to the region to provide Israel with everything it needed to respond.

A second group of US fighter jets departs from the Norfolk base in the state of Virginia on Friday. A large number of planes have headed for US military bases in the Middle East. Likewise, special operations forces are currently assisting the Israeli military with operational planning as well as intelligence. The first shipment of additional ammunition has already arrived and another quantity is expected to arrive soon.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Israel on Friday to meet with Israeli leaders and discuss what else Washington can offer.

For now, the increased military presence reflects the United States' concern that the bloody fighting between Hamas and Israel could escalate into a more dangerous regional conflict. So the primary mission for warships and warplanes is to create a force presence that would prevent Hezbollah, Iran or other groups from taking advantage of the situation. But American troops are capable of more than that.

What weapons and capabilities does the US military offer?

Voa Analysis: What military aid is the US providing to Israel?

Weapons and forces for special operations

The United States has provided Israel with a small special operations command and much-needed ammunition. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that this special force was assisting Israel in providing intelligence and planning operations. They are also providing advice to the Israel Defense Forces regarding hostage recovery efforts. However, these forces are not tasked with conducting hostage rescue operations, which would involve them directly in combat on the ground. That's something the Biden administration has not approved of, and according to White House spokesman John Kirby, the Israelis don't want either.

The United States is enabling American defense companies to expedite arms orders previously placed by Israel. At the top of them are the ammunition for the Israeli air defense system 'Iron Dome'.

"We are sending additional military assistance, including munitions and interceptor missiles for the Iron Dome system," President Joe Biden said Tuesday. "We are making sure Israel does not run out of critical munitions to protect its cities and people."

Iron Dome missiles strike rockets approaching Israeli cities. According to the American arms manufacturing company Raytheon, Israel has 10 such systems in the country. Since the October 7 attack, Hamas has fired more than five thousand rockets at Israel, most of which, according to the Israel Defense Forces, were intercepted by the systems.

Raytheon makes most of the missile components for the Iron Dome systems in the United States, and the military has two systems in stock.

The ammunition for the Iron Dome systems that the United States is providing to Israel is likely to be more than the amount Israel has ordered and will be part of ongoing military aid packages. They will also include small-diameter bombs and so-called "smart" air-to-ground bombs, which are not simply dropped, but can be guided to a target to strike.

Navy ships and aircraft

Voa Analysis: What military aid is the US providing to Israel?

One of the most visible examples of the American response was the announcement on Sunday by the Pentagon of the departure of the aircraft carrier 'Gerald R. Ford' towards Israel. She had just completed a training exercise with the Italian navy when the ship, with her crew of around 5,000, was ordered to sail swiftly to the eastern Mediterranean.

The carrier offers a multitude of options. It serves as a major center of command and control operations and can provide reconnaissance information. It can launch the E2-Hawkeye surveillance planes, known for their 7-meter-diameter disc-shaped radar. The aircraft provide early warning information for missile launches, monitor and manage airspace, not only detecting enemy aircraft, but also to guide the movements of US assets.

The aircraft carrier 'Gerald R. Ford' carries F-18 fighter jets that serve to strike targets. The military transporter also has great capabilities for carrying out humanitarian work. On its board there is also a hospital with an intensive care unit and emergency service, which includes about 40 nurses, doctors and surgeons. On board there are helicopters that can be used to transport necessary supplies or even wounded, to receive medical assistance.

On Friday, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier will leave port at Norfolk, Virginia, and head for the Mediterranean, doubling the response potential of the Israeli navy.

This aircraft carrier was previously scheduled to deploy to the Mediterranean as part of a regular rotation while the Gerald R. Ford was nearing the end of its mission. But the Biden administration may decide to keep both aircraft carriers there, White House spokesman John Kirby said Wednesday.

Air Force fighter jets

Voa Analysis: What military aid is the US providing to Israel?

The Pentagon has also ordered additional fighter jets to bolster squadrons of A-10, F-15 and F-16 jets at bases across the Middle East. If necessary, other planes will also be launched.

Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said Tuesday during an event organized by the Atlantic Council that the military had also ordered units that were completing their mission to remain there.

The US Air Force already has significant air power in the region to conduct manned and unmanned operations, particularly in Syria, where last week an Air Force F-16 was ordered to shoot down a Turkish drone that posed a threat to ground forces. american.

Mr. Kendall also said that Air Force C-17 transport planes had picked up American military personnel who were in Israel for a military exercise that had not yet begun when Hamas launched the attacks.

Neither the Air Force nor US Central Command have commented on what additional air missions might be made available in response to the conflict./ Voa