Guard Learns From a City Under Fire

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Guard Learns From a City Under Fire
Army News Service | Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill | December 13, 2007

HAIFA, Israel - In 2006, Haifa was a city under attack by terrorists. After visiting the city, National Guard leaders are now applying lessons learned on how to respond to sustained terrorist attacks against a U.S. city.

National Guard Bureau Chief Lt. Gen. H Steven Blum stopped here Dec. 4 during a four-day visit to bolster the Bureau's relationship with the Israeli Defense Forces Home Front Command and discuss joint exercises and other possible exchanges carried out under the aegis of U.S. European Command.

Lt. Gen. Blum's third official visit to Israel included meetings with Maj. Gen. Yitzshak (Jerry) Gershon, Home Front commander, and other senior IDF military leaders; briefings on lessons learned from the 2006 Lebanon War; and visits to military installations and historic and cultural sites including the Negev Desert, Masada, Jaffa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.

Israel's Home Front Command, equivalent to the National Guard, was established in 1992, following the Gulf War.

The National Guard and the Home Front Command are comprised mostly of reservists, who defend their homelands and stand ready to manage the consequences of natural or man-made catastrophes.


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