Article

2005-10-29 Afghanistan-Pak-India

US-Indian fighter exercises set to begin

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Posted by john 2005-10-29 12:59|| || Front Page|| [4 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan ââ Getting to know their U.S. counterparts before an exercise on their home turf in November, six members of India's air force visited Misawa from Aug. 21â27 as part of a bilateral exchange. The 13th Fighter Squadron and 610th Air Control Flight at Misawa each hosted two pilots, two controllers and two safety officers from various units in India. They toured base facilities and worksites, sampled American culture and cuisine and learned about day-to-day military operations at the Base, including flight operations, maintenance, air traffic control and crash recovery.

"A big part of it is to be familiar with how we operate so we can safely operate together during the exercise, as well as build some of the rapport and friendship that really make the exercise successful," said Lt. Col. Chuck Toplikar, 13th Fighter Squadron operations director. Misawa and Kadena Air Base on Okinawa Island are gearing up to send about 256 military personnel from the 35th Fighter Wing and 961st Airborne Warning and Control Systems, respectively, to Cope India, Nov. 7â19. The exercise marks the second year the two air forces will practice simulated combat flying between two types of aircraft. In February 2004, Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, sent six F-15 Eagles to Gawalior.

This year, the exercise ââ to be held at Kalaikunda base near Calcutta ââ is being expanded in scope: Twelve F-16 CJs from Misawa are to take part, as is an E-3 AWACS aircraft from Kadena. At the Air Force Association's annual Air Warfare Symposium in February, Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Paul V. Hester said the training will be a large-force exercise. "We'll have people on the ground, people in the air. It will mark a growing respect between our nations as we work together," he said.

Last month's swap was mutual: The same week in August the Indian air force members came to Japan, Misawa and Kadena each sent one airman who will participate in the exercise to India. The two are getting to ride in a Russian-made SU-30 fighter, one of the Indian officers said.

Toplikar said, "It's getting to know each other, to know each other's cultures, getting to know how we think and operate, and continuing to build a friendship between the two countries as a whole." On their last day in Japan, the group met Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Wright, U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force commander, and spent time with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force's 8th Tactical Squadron, based at Misawa.

Wing Commander and MiG-29 fighter pilot, said the whole week was wonderful.

"For me [the highlight] was riding in the F-16."

"Ride?" Toplikar said. "You flew it."

"I did get to fly, yes," Srinivas said, laughing.

Posted by john 2005-10-29 15:12|| 2005-10-29 15:12|| Front Page Top

#2 Group Capt. TK Chatterjee

Now that ladies and gents is a name easy to, and worth remembering.

Posted by Shipman 2005-10-29 17:48|| 2005-10-29 17:48|| Front Page Top

#3 âOur pilots would be greatly benefited by this exercise... if the situation so arises we can function as a joint force. For the first time, the USAF is bringing AWACS where air-borne warning and controlling systems will be received.â

Hu, do you read me? over.

crickets.

Hu, Hu there? Over.

Nobody here but me.

You Hu?

Me Perv.

Glad you heard it too.

Posted by Slarong Snins3096 2005-10-29 18:32|| 2005-10-29 18:32|| Front Page Top

#4 Somebody should tell Saikia Frankenreich will not be in the new Anglosphere alliance.

Posted by Shearong Uluter3359 2005-10-29 18:35|| 2005-10-29 18:35|| Front Page Top

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