Approximately 150 paratroopers from armies from around the world arrived this past weekend in Israel, to participate the parachuting exhibition that will take place along Tel Aviv’s coastline on Israel’s 60th Independence Day, this coming Thursday (May 8, 2008).

The visiting paratroopers include delegations from the American, English, Singaporean and South African armies. The paratroopers are being hosted at the Center for Flying and Special Training (IDFs paratrooper school). There, they will meet the commander of the school, Colonel Dror Platin, and will carry out parachuting exercises and practices in the sea in preparation for the parachuting events on Independence Day.

During their time in Israel, the visiting paratroopers will participate in Remembrance Day ceremonies that will take place around the country, including Ashkelon, Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, Givat Hatachmoshet in Jerusalem, and Latroon. Additionally, they will be taken on a tour showcasing Israel’s technological advancements that will be used in the expansion of the Negev. They will also enjoy jeep tours in the desert. The visiting paratroopers will visit Jerusalem as well, to tie in the Paratrooper Brigade’s unique and monumental role in the capturing of East Jerusalem during the Six Day War.

The parachuting exhibition, in which these visiting paratroopers will take part, will be the first military exhibition to take place in six years. In addition to the parachuting exhibition on Independence Day, an aerial demonstration is expected to take place over Israel’s cities, a naval review that will sail by Ashkelon, Ashdod, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Eilat, and military bands from around the would will perform with the IDF military band at Kiryat Eliezer amphitheater in Haifa.