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Moonlighters storm Bangladesh

Marine Corps News

Release Date: 10/22/2003

Story by Cpl. Dave Boni

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- In a recent deployment to Dhaka, Bangladesh, Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 332 participated in Exercise Sumo Tiger 2003.

The bilateral training exercise with the Bengali Air Force focused on exposing both the Bengali and U.S forces to the disparate aircraft used by the two mobile forces.

"This was our first trip to Bangladesh and our first participation in Sumo Tiger," said Maj. Derek Richardson, VMFA(AW)-332 executive officer during the deployment. "The entire exercise was a great experience for our pilots and we hope to participate in this event in the future."

During the Moonlighters stay in Bangladesh they examined a variety of training scenarios and overall accustomation of different tactics used by the Bengali and U.S. Forces.

According to Lt. Col. David Wilkinson, VMFA(AW)-332 commanding officer, exercises such as familiarization flights, dissimilar air combat training (DACT), intercept training and simulated air strikes educated the Bengali and U.S Forces on the capabilities of one another's aircraft.

"During the familiarization flights and simulated air strikes we would put one of our pilots in the back of their aircraft and allow one of their pilots to be in the back of ours to get firsthand knowledge of each other's tactics and capabilities. It was a great way to see the different ways we both do business," said Wilkinson.

While dogging it out in the Bangladesh skies during the DACT portion of the exercise, VMFA(AW)-332 took the role as instructor as they showed their superior skills to the Bengali Forces.

"We did very well in the simulated fighting and I think the Bengali Forces were impressed. The intercept training went very well also," said Richardson.

Although the U.S. Forces showed their skills during Sumo Tiger, Richardson said the Bengali Air Force was not the only one benefiting from the exchange.

"It is very rare for us to train against any dissimilar aircraft and the experience is always worthwhile. The entire trip to Bangladesh was great and it was nice to work and train with our Bengali counterparts and build what is hopefully a lasting relationship," said Richardson.

The commanding officer seconded those thoughts adding, "Exercise Sumo Tiger was a fantastic exchange and we learned just as much as we taught them."