Eye on the Enemy: Magic Wand System Delayed,’’Orange Flame’’ Drill Finishes

During this week, the "Defense" Ministry, in conjunction with the "Home Front Command" and the Health Ministry, conducted a large scale exercise called "Orange Flame 6".
 

The exercise simulated an unconventional terror attack in northern "Israel" and examined the preparedness of hospitals in that region.

Exercise "Orange Flame" is held for the sixth year; such an exercise is held annually in different parts of the country.

"The main purpose of the exercise is to improve the readiness of the health system," said Brigadier General (res.) Ze'ev Snir, Assistant Minister of "Defense" for CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) "Defense".
 

""Israel" is in a very good situation; the drills are improving readiness and raising awareness, which is already very high. The chances that an incident like this will occur are very low, but it is very important to be ready."

"The exercise began with the discovery of large numbers of patients suffering from infectious diseases and similar cases across the region," explained the deputy commander of the Medical Division in the Home Front, Commander Liad Aviram.

"Had the numbers we received are unusual, then a terrorist attack is taking place, but we do not know the source of this disease. It could be a bacterium transmitted by fleas or through envelopes of anthrax. During the maneuver the troops tried to find out the source, and who spread this disease," he added.

One of the basic elements of success of this exercise was the extensive collaboration among a large number of civilian and military agencies. In addition to the Home Front Command, the local authorities in the north participated in the exercise, i.e. "Israel" Police, Magen David Adom, the Fire Department, Environmental Protection Ministry, Foreign Ministry and the Water Authority.

Chief of the Society Protection Unit, Bala Azaria said that "such a complex incident cannot be addressed through the health system and the home front only. Cooperation with various civilian is unavoidable."

Colonel Avi Aberjil of the Home-front command said that "the purpose of the home front is to train all those involved in the maneuver as well as prepare for the hypothesis of the immediate distribution of drugs to the population."

In the coming months, the "Defense" Ministry will hold a number of other unconventional terror exercises, as part of "Israel"'s increasing preparations for this threat.

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"Magic Wand" System Delayed for one year, IAF source says
Channel 2 - Nir Devori

While "Israel" is trying to complete the acquisition of missile "defense" of different ranges, it seems that the acquisition will be delayed for at least a year.
 
A senior Air Force source said that because of the obstacles in developing the system, "Magic Wand" will become operational until the end of 2013, a year after the date set.
 
In recent years, key "defense" industries in "Israel's" sought to develop a "defense" system against missiles and rockets: "Iron Dome", which is supposed to intercept high-trajectory fire - such as the Qassam rockets.

The "Hetz system" is supposed to intercept long-range missiles and the "Magic Wand" system is designed intercept medium range rockets, such as those used by Hizbullah during the Second Lebanon War.
 
According to the original plan, the "Magic Wand" was to become operational at the end of 2012, but apparently it was delayed. An Air Force senior officer said that due to a slow development process, the designed experiments will be postponed for 2012.
 

The same officer added that there is no danger to cancel the plan, and that the "Israeli" ARMY would like to complete the purchase transaction. At the same time the security system worked on establishing an additional operational trail for the Iron Dome system. The IAF will be deciding where to place the "defense" system according to the map of threats of "Israel".


Source: Hebrew newspaers, Translated and Edited by moqawma.org