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Indian Army paratroopers jump from Air Force (USAF) C-130E aircraft over a drop zone near Air Force Station Agra, India, during Exercise COPE INDIA 2003
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In a speech to the Indian Chamber of Commerce on “The Quality and Durability of the U.S.-India Relationship,” U.S. Ambassador to India Robert D. Blackwill, in November 2002, said the following:
“Twenty months ago, the American and Indian militaries conducted no joint operations. Today, they have completed six major training exercises.
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“Defense cooperation between Indian and American armed forces builds military capacities on both sides for combined operations. In May [2002], U.S. Air Force Airman First Class Mitul Patel from 353rd Special Operations Group seized the opportunity to deploy from the American airbase in Kadena, Okinawa, [Japan] to [India’s] Air Force Station Agra to take part in the largest-ever airborne joint exercise between the United States and India. This 23-year old Gujarat-born American crew chief was responsible for launching MC-130 [Hercules transport aircraft] to fly with the Indian Air Force. During the exercise he witnessed an elite brigade of Indian paratroopers jumping with U.S. Special Forces in BALANCE IROQUOIS 2002-01.
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| Indian and USAF personnel discuss communications equipment. |
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In June and July 2002, the Indian Navy ships [large patrol craft INS] Sukanya and [offshore patrol vessel INS] Sharda conducted escort patrols for American ships through the Malacca Straits in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. Knowing what they would be up against if they had to deal with the Indian Navy, the pirates sensibly stayed away. The U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, welcomed 80 soldiers from India’s 50th Independent Parachute Brigade to conduct GERONIMO THRUST in September, the first live-fire exercise between American and Indian paratroopers. The jawans [Hindi word for soldiers] flew to Alaska in an Indian Air Force Il-76. This marked the first time that an Indian Air Force combat aircraft has landed on U.S. soil.
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“With American warships now routinely refueling in Chennai and Mumbai, we saw in September and October [2002] the largest-ever U.S.-India naval exercise, called MALABAR. Over 1,500 American and Indian naval personnel participated during this four-day event, which featured flying operations, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and replenishment at sea. |
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Indian and USAF loadmasters discuss the rigging on a simulated Container Delivery System.
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“Maj. James Law, USAF, is a public affairs officer assigned to Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Air Forces; MSgt. Michael Farris, USAF, is assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group, Public Affairs Office, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. |
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