New U.S. Army Base to be Located in Israel

Ground was broken in Israel last Monday for a permanent U.S. Army base that will house dozens of  American soldiers, operating under the American flag to defend against rocket and missile attack.

Israel Air Force Brig. Gen. Zvika Haimovich, the IDF's air defense commander, left, with U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John Gronski at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new permanent U.S. Army base in Israel. (Israel Defense Forces)

This U.S. presence will enhance Israel’s ability to detect and defend against the growing rocket and missile threat in a joint effort.

Maj. Gen. John Gronski, deputy commanding general of the Army National Guard in U.S. Army Europe, said the planned base “signifies the strong bond” that exists between the United States and Israel. “This life support area represents the first ever stationing of a U.S. Army unit on Israeli soil,” he said. “The U.S. and Israel have long planned together, exercised together, trained together. And now, with the opening of this site, these crucial interactions will occur every day. We’ll have Israeli airmen, US soldiers living and working side by side.”

The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has been working with its U.S. counterparts for nearly two years to establish the new facility