Kalaikunda set for Indo-US exercises
Oct. 28. — “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.”