An IDF large-scale drill will commence Monday, the largest of its kind in two years. It is scheduled to last a few days.
The drill came as a surprise, so that real-time decision making of the higher ranks could be assessed.
Several military facilities will be operated, as they would be in emergency. However, no soldiers, air craft or weapons will be deployed.
Only officers from the General Staff, the different branches and the various commands will participate in the exercise. They will have to respond to various scenarios, most of which will not be disclosed prior to the drill. Their task will be to determine, on paper, how things should be run in the field.
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert ,Defense Minister Amir Peretz andhis deputy Ephraim Sneh will also take part in the training to give them another opportunity to experience war-time decision making.
Maj Gen. Gershon HaCohen, commander of Israel's National Security College, will be responsible for providing the various scenarios, which will emphasize defensive settings, in case of enemy attacks, and will possibly include simultaneous attacks on more than one front.
The officers will have to demonstrate that since the Second Lebanon War ,they have improved their ability to respond effectively.
Alongside the general staff, high level reserve soldiers will also man the ranks. Some of them were assigned their positions immediately after the war, to assist the acting officers in dealing with challenges, and to make their knowledge and experience available.
Involving the reserve army was one of the conclusions made by the IDF after the war. The reserve officers had criticized the regular army for not having consulted them and their know-how.