US European Command and the Israel Defense Forces successfully concluded Austere Challenge 2012 Tuesday, a large-scale air defense exercise that included both field training and command post simulations.

Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command convoy from Tzuk, Israel to conduct a validation drill while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Joint Task Force Commander Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin and Israel's Air Defense Force Commander Brig. Gen. Shachar Shohat hold a press conference at Tzuk, Israel about Austere Challenge 2012 . Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command work alongside Israel's IDF soldiers to decontaminate vehicles and personnel after a notional chemical attack while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command convoy from Tzuk, Israel in preparation for DECON exercise while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Soldiers from Delta Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participate in medical drill reacting to a simulated rocket attack on their post in Israel while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command greet the Israeli Minister of Defense, Ehud. The soldiers are participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Austere Challenge 2012 Medical Exercise. Soldiers from Delta Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participate in medical drill reacting to a simulated rocket attack on their post in Israel while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.

Soldiers from Delta Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participate in medical drill reacting to a simulated rocket attack on their post in Israel while participating in Austere Challenge 2012. Austere Challenge 2012 (AC 12) is a large-scale air defense field training and command post simulation exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.