Blue Flag 2013 is a multinational aerial combat exercise with participation of the air forces of the U.S., Israel, Italy, and Greece, held at the Ovda air base in southern Israel. Ambassador Dan Shapiro was the guest of the Israeli Air Force and the 492nd Fighter Squadron that flew their F-15E Strike Eagles from RAF Lakenheath Airbase in England. Ambassador Shapiro met the American servicemen and servicewomen charged with operating and maintaining the airplanes, received briefings from Israeli and American commanders, and watched a stunning display of F-15's, F-16's, Tornadoes, and AMX fighter jets taking to the skies. "It's a powerful symbol of the partnership between the United States and Israel when our pilots and Israeli pilots are flying together."