IDF Special Forces teamed up with US Marines last week for a joint military exercise in the Negev Desert in part aimed at coordinating techniques for combating terrorist activities such as that of Islamic State, Channel 2 revealed Thursday morning.

The drill dubbed ‘Noble Shirley,’ which was kept under wraps until now, reportedly involved special units from the Israeli Air Force, Navy and ground forces.

Channel 2 reported that the IDF forces relayed their experience in combating regional terrorism threats to the US forces, which can apply the training to America’s fight against Daesh in the Middle East.

During the exercise, the troops took part in drills simulating helicopter landings behind enemy lines, urban warfare above and below ground along with close-range combat and military takeover techniques.

Additional exercises also reportedly concentrated on medical responses to injured troops in enemy territory and the coordination of Israeli and US medical networks.

The drill was said to have been conducted during day and nighttime hours.

Last week’s reported drill came some three weeks after the Defense Ministry and the US Missile Defense Agency completed a test aimed at ensuring Israeli and American air defense systems can operate cooperatively in a future war.

During the trial – the first of its kind – the physical connectivity between the systems was tested.

The test involved sites scattered around the United States, Israel, and Europe.

Read More: Jerusalem Post

Featured Image – ZEELIM TRAINING FACILITY, Israel (July 18, 2016) U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team, 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) coordinate with members of the Israel Defense Force July 18 during Noble Shirley 16, a bilateral training exercise between the militaries. 22nd MEU, deployed with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe. – DVIDS