U.S./India to Fly in Fighter Exercise
PACAF News
Release Date: 1/22/2004
Air Forces from the United States and India will participate in the second Cope India exercise Feb. 15-27.
The exercise at Gwalior Air Force Station, India, will provide valuable training for aircrew and maintenance personnel, and will enhance military-to-military relationship between the U.S. Air Force and the Indian Air Force.
The first exercises between the United States and India were held in Eastern India in 1962, and the mil-to-mil exchanges that have occurred between the two since Sep. 11, 2001 have been the most active since.
During Cope India 04, both forces will conduct their first bilateral dissimilar air combat exercise together to enhance relations and the understanding of each other's mutual capabilities. U.S. Air Force assets participating include F-15 aircraft and approximately 140 personnel from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. A variety of IAF aircraft will participate including Mirage 2000, MIG-21, MIG-27, SU-30 and Jaguar.
"This exercise will strengthen bonds between the U.S. Air Force and Indian Air Force developed during the first Cope India exercise in 2002 at Agra Air Force Station in India which involved airlift operations," said Col. Greg Nuebeck, exercise director. "These bonds were further strengthened with the IAF's participation with a transport aircraft in the multilateral exercise Cooperative Cope Thunder last June in Alaska. By conducting fighter operations together in February, we will continue to promote cooperation and regional stability in the Asia-Pacific region." (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)
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