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An Indian Army colonel directs a roadwidening project in the Mizoram State village of Phainum, while a U.S. Army sergeant heads the U.S. Civil Affairs personnel working on the project.
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JCET participation was not limited to the Indian Army and U.S. Army Special Forces. Indian Air Force air crews participated in BALANCE IROQUOIS 2003-01, employing two An-32 transport aircraft and six Mi-17 helicopters for fixed-wing parachute operations and rotary infiltrations and exfiltrations. Both forces used India’s fast-rope technique called “slithering.” The Indian Army uses protective gloves with three slim ropes instead of one thick rope used in the U.S. military’s fast rope method. Under the watchful eyes of their Indian counterparts, U.S. Special Forces soldiers quickly mastered the efficient “slithering” technique, gaining valuable experience and learning new methods.
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Indian and U.S. Army Civil Affairs personnel also participated in JCET BALANCE IROQUOIS 2003-01, conducting four construction projects in the Indian village of Phainuam, Mizoram State. The combined Civil Affairs team converted a narrow hill footpath into a trafficable road, leveled a soccer field, graded a community center park, and constructed an open field in front of an elementary school. While conducting these projects, Indian and U.S. soldiers interacted with local villagers, playing guitars, singing songs, handing out candy, and helping out wherever needed. As a result of these projects and associated exchanges, villagers gained an understanding of American culture, and U.S. and Indian soldiers created a lasting, positive impact on a small community.
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| An Indian Army Subedar [Warrant Officer] stands with his U.S. counterpart in Phainuam Village, where they conducted four Civil Affairs construction projects to improve the lives of the local Mizo villagers. |
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Other JCET events will occur in the years ahead, creating opportunities for Indian and U.S. military personnel to work together and build upon previous success. Indian and U.S. SOF will conduct the next BALANCE IROQUOIS 2003-02 JCET in Guam.
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| Indian and U.S. Army Special Forces members “slither” – an Indian fast roping technique from an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter on Silchar Airfield, India. |
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| The combined Indian-U.S. Civil Affairs team poses on a bulldozer during the Civil Affairs portion of the exercise, symbolizing the friendship and cooperation achieved during Exercise BALANCE IROQUOIS 2003-01. |
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