Israeli calls up missile reservists

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JERUSALEM, May 3 (UPI) -- Israeli air force reservists are sharpening their missile defense system skills amid fears of a long-rang missile attack from Iran, a military official said.

The Jerusalem Post reported Sunday that the reservists who operate the Arrow and Patriot missile defense systems are spending one day a week on duty.

Israeli air force Brig. Gen. Daniel Milo decided last year to call up the reservists, the newspaper reported. Before Milo's order, only reservist pilots were called up for one day of reserve duty a week.

"We are working hard to be ready for the Iranian threat," an unidentified senior officer was quoted by the newspaper as saying. "We are preparing for barrages, split warheads and other surprises and therefore we need to retain a high operational level by everyone, including reservists."