Indo-US air force exercise comes to a successful end

Agra, Oct 23 (ANI): Indo-US air force bilateral exercise, Cope India 2009, today came to a successful completion, with both the air forces working together, enhancing and understanding the employment philosophies of each other in joint venture operations.

The exercise ended with both the exercise directiors Group Captain Mathew Mammen of the Indian Air Force and Colonel Raymond Le Marche of the USAF expressing satisfaction in the way the exercises was conducted.

To amplify the importance of the exercise Air Vice Marshal M Bahadur, Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Transport and Helicopter) of the IAF and Major General Darryll Wong of the USAF exchanged mementos to commemorate the successful completion of EX Cope India 2009.

The IAF and the USAF learnt about each other's joint planning and execution of missions.

The five-day joint exercise (from October 19 to 23) being held at Agra, which is one of the largest air base in Southeast Asia, was aimed at training personnel for joint planning and execution of missions in simulated hostile scenarios.

The Indian contingent was represented by five AN-32s, one IL-76 and one Chetak helicopter in the exercise, while the US Air Force (USAF) utilized personnel from Pacific Air Force and the Special Operation Command.

The Pacific Air Force comprises of three XC-130H from the 374th Airlift Wing, one XC-17 from the 15th Airlift Wing and one XC- 130 J from the 146th Airlift Wing.

In addition to that the IAF also fielded its Rapid Action Medical Team and the Special Forces Garuds in the joint exercise. (ANI)