General Norton A. Schwartz, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force, concluded on Wednesday a four day work visit in Israel as the guest of Maj.-Gen. Ido Nechushtan, Commander of the Israel Air Force (IAF). This was General Schwartz's first visit to the IDF since his appointment to his current position last August. The IDF reported that the visit was coordinated in advance and was intended “for mutual update and to strengthen the bond between the two air forces, adding an additional layer to their in-depth cooperation.” Pundits hinted that the visit was largely devoted to the Iranian nuclear threat and possible action against it. During his visit, General Schwartz held a work meeting with the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt.-Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi. The two discussed cooperation between the two armies and updated each other on various regional and strategic issues. General Schwartz also toured IAF bases, where he was given an in-flight demonstration of the Beechcraft King Air (Tzufit) type trainer and spoke with senior commanders and pilots. The General was given a guided tour of the Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem and flew over the security fence, the Judea and Samaria region and Jerusalem with Maj. Gen. Nechushtan. The Commander of the IAF said that the visit was a success and believes it accomplished its aims of strengthening the close professional bonds between the two air forces.
