JERUSALEM, April 19 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 350,000 Israeli citizens visited the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) bases all over the country during the 70th Independence Day, with exhibitions, speeches, multimedia and various performances being displayed at all sites, said the IDF Thursday.
Throughout the day, an Israeli Navy operational drill along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea saw submarines, missile boats, routine security equipment and naval Flotilla 13 equipment conduct a number of navigational maneuvers, said the Israeli military.
At the same time, Ground Forces of the IDF carried out a large-scale airborne operational drill, paradropping near the Sea of Galilee, Haifa and Tel Aviv.
IDF commanders and officers, including Maj. Gen. Aharon Haliva, head of the Technology and Maintenance Corps and Maj. Gen. Amir Baram, commander of the Military Colleges and commander of the Northern Corps participated in the drill, paradropping safely from the aircrafts.
The Israel Air Force (IAF) flew over 40 cities and towns, with several dozens of IAF aircraft participating in the flight, including fighter jets such as "Adir" (F35I), "Sufa" (F16I), "Lavi" (M346) and "Barak" (F16), attack helicopters, heavy-lift transport helicopters and transport aircraft.
