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Afghanistan-Pak-India
US-Indian fighter exercises set to begin
2005-10-29
“Cooperative security” will be the main mantra behind the joint air exercises by the Indian Air Force and US Air Force at Kalaikunda air base between 7 and 19 November. Cope India 2005 — a joint air exercise between United States Air Force (USAF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) harps on the same tune of “Con-Ops” or co-operative operations.’’

“These joint exercises would help our pilots cooperate with forces of other countries and share modes of operation tactics, logistic, technical and administrative concepts,” said Air Commodore A Saikia, Air-Officer-Commanding, Kalaikunda Air Force station. He said USAF pilots and fighter aircraft would be coming from Misawa Air Base and Kadena Air Base in Japan to take part in the joint air exercises. One squadron F-16 fighter aircraft of USAF will participate in the joint exercise while IAF’s frontline fighter aircraft like Jaguar, Mirage, Bison, MiG-27, MiG-29, Sukhoi-30 will be in the exercise, the AOC said.

He said apart from the US and Singapore Air Force, UK has entered into a dialogue with the Centre for conducting joint air exercises. Other countries like France and Germany have shown great interest to participate in the joint air exercises.

On the joint exercises, Group Capt. TK Chatterjee, Chief Operations Officer, Kalaikunda Air Base, said: “Our 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.”
Posted by:john

#4  Somebody should tell Saikia Frankenreich will not be in the new Anglosphere alliance.
Posted by: Shearong Uluter3359   2005-10-29 18:35  

#3  â€œOur 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.”

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  

#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  

#1  MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan –– 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. 21–27 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. 7–19. 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 –– to be held at Kalaikunda base near Calcutta –– 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  

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