IDF Chief of Staff Visits the United States Army

20 July 2008, 10:26

The IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi, left Saturday night for a week long work visit in the United States, by invitation from the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staffs, Admiral Michael G. Mullen. This is Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi's first visit to the United States as the IDF Chief of Staff. The visit will end a week today and in the meantime Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will be replaced by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Dan Harel.

The Chief of Staff will be welcomed by an official military ceremony and will lay a garland at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.

During his stay, the Chief of Staff is scheduled to visit the various headquarters and branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, including Marine Corps Base Quantico, where he studied in the past.

The Chief of Staff will conduct a work meeting with his associate, Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staffs. Afterwards, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi, along with his escorts, will join Admiral Mullen for a gathering with seniors in the U.S. Armed Forces General Staff. Additionally, he will conduct professional meetings at the Pentagon, at the State Department, with the U.S. Vice President, Mr. Richard Cheney, with the National Security Advisor, Mr. Steven Hudley, as well as with heads of congress and senate committees and other seniors in the American government.

Furthermore, Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi will meet with the head of the AIPAC lobby, with senior media figures and with leaders of the Jewish Community in Florida.

The Chief of Staff is accompanied by his wife Ronit, by the IDF Military Attache in the U.S., Maj. Gen. Benny Gantz; as well as the head of the Strategic Department in the IDF Planning Branch, Brig. Gen. Yosi Hayman; the IDF Spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Avi Benayahu; and Lt. Gen. Ashkenazi's office manager. Furthermore, by decision of the Chief of Staff, the Commander of the 74th Armored Battalion, Nir Ben-David, is taking part in the visit, signifying the importance of the IDF's combat elements.

The visit reflects the unique bond shared between the IDF and the U.S. Armed Forces.

Posted on 24 July 2008 @ 20:43 GMT