Cope India '04

The first bilateral dissimilar air combat exercise between the U.S. Air Force and the Indian air force in more than 40 years began Feb. 16. [ [http://indianairforce.nic.in/show_page.php?pg_id=144 Exercise Cope India 04 ] ] [ [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/cope-india.htm Cope India ] ] [ [http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123007001 Cope India 04 begins ] ] Approximately 150 airmen from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, are here for the exercise. Dissimilar AIR COMBAT TRAINING, otherwise known as DACT, is simulated combat flying between two different types of aircraft. Indian air force aircraft participating in the exercise include the Mirage 2000, MiG-21, MiG-27 and SU-30. The airmen from Elmendorf are flying F-15 Eagles. Cope India 04 afforded each air force the opportunity to enhance and mature operational understanding and set the basis for future cooperation.

The station, located approximately 10 miles from the city of Gwalior in North Central India, is one of the oldest Indian air force bases in South Asia. The air force station is the center hub of operational training, testing and national-level exercises and includes the only Indian air force electronic warfare range, used to aid new pilots in aircraft familiarization.

Exercise Cope India 04 was an Air Force level exercise between the USAF and the Indian Air Force (IAF) and marked a beginning of a new chapter in Indo-US bilateral relations. This was the first opportunity since 1963, for USAF fighters to operate from Indian soil.

The exercise brought together leading fighter combat aircraft and aircrew and ground crew of both air forces. The USAF flew in F-15Cs, while the IAF was represented by Mirage 2000, Su-30K, MiG-27s and MiG-21 (upgraded).The meeting ground provided a strong foundation and deep understanding towards developing a new relationship between the IAF and USAF for the future. Not only was the exercise a gathering of hi-tech, state of the art aircraft and systems of both air forces, but also proved to be an excellent meeting ground for the personnel of the two air forces to understand each other. Despite such a vast difference in culture and traditions, there was complete synergy and understanding of minds, and of concepts in the air and on the ground. The mutual respect and bonhomie that developed between members of the two sides have cemented a firm foundation for moving ahead towards higher bilateralism.

Planning for the exercise commenced during the IPC (Initial Planning Committee) at the Air HQ at New Delhi in the last week of Sep 2003. Various modalities for the smooth conduct of the exercise were chalked out during the IPC. Col Greg Neubeck, a senior F-15 pilot with flying experience of over 3000 hrs, led the USAF delegation. Sgt Mike Boden in-charge of administration helped to work out modalities concerning security and admin aspects. Once the IPC was conducted, a broad outline for planning was set into motion.

References

External Links

* http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1128/p01s04-wosc.html