IAF, US Air Force Joint Exercise- “COPE INDIA 2019”

Indian Air Force (IAF) and US Air Force will participate in a bilateral exercise “COPE INDIA – 2019”, scheduled to be held on 03 to 14 December, 2018 at two air force stations in Kolkata (West Bengal).

COPE INDIA: Key Points:-

• The Exercise will be held at Air Force Station kalaikunda and Air Force Station Arjan Singh at Panagarh from December 3-14, 2018.
• The exercise showcases efforts and commitment of the two nations to build a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
• The exercise is being held after a gap of 8 years, the last one was held in 2010.
• COPE INDIA was begun in 2000. It is basically a fighter training exercise which includes flight test, practice and demonstrations as well as lectures on the subjects related to aviation.
• Around 200 men from the US Air Force with 15 aircraft from the 18^th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan and 182^nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard will take part in the exercise alongside men from the Indian Air Force.
• “We are excited and grateful for the opportunity to fly and train with our Indian Air Force counterparts within their home country,” said Col. Darryl Insley, 13 Air Expeditionary Group-COPE India 2019 (AEG-CI19) Commander.

For Exam Purpose:-

IAF Chief (Air Chief Marshal): – Birender Singh Dhanoa

Indian Defence Minister: – Nirmala Sitharaman