Yokota Airmen depart for Cope India

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • 374th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  Seventy Airmen and two of three C-130H Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron departed here Oct. 14 to take part in Cope India 10, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral flying training exercise conducted with the Indian Air Force.

The airlift exercise will focus on the humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission with a goal of improving U.S.-Indian cooperation and demonstrating U.S. resolve to support security and humanitarian interests in the region. A third Yokota C-130H is scheduled to depart in the coming days for the exercise, which runs from Oct. 15 to 24 at Air Force Station Agra in Uttar Predesh.

Yokota Airmen will exchange airlift, airland and airdrop delivery techniques with their Indian Air Force counterparts, as well as conduct cooperative flight operations to include aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop and air-land missions. Subject matter experts from both air forces will also discuss operations, maintenance and rigging disciplines.

"Cope India is a true partnership between the U.S. and Indian Air Forces," said Lt. Col. David Kincaid, 36th Airlift Squadron commander. "We've shared the effort in planning all aspects of this exercise to ensure maximum training benefit for both countries."

The colonel said U.S. and Indian crews will alternate mission planning and lead responsibilities as well as allow each other's crewmembers to fly as observers on their respective aircraft. Subject matter experts from all disciplines will exchange best practices for mission execution, according to Colonel Kincaid.

Other aircraft participating in the exercise include one C-17 Globemaster III, and one C-130J from the U.S. Air Force and one IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlejes, two MI-17 Prataps, and one Chetak Alouette III from the Indian Air Force.

The 36th AS is the only forward-based tactical airlift squadron in the Pacific. It maintains a forward presence and supports combat operations by providing responsive movement of personnel and equipment through aerial delivery and assault airland operations. The squadron maintains C-130H mission-ready aircrew to conduct theater airlift, special operations, aeromedical evacuation, search and rescue, repatriation and humanitarian relief missions.

"Yokota provides a unique opportunity for developing our Airmen," said Colonel Kincaid. "Our location and our wing commander's commitment to PACAF's engagement strategy allow us to participate in an unprecedented number of exercises with our partner nations in the PACOM AOR.
"This experience not only builds our expeditionary skills, but the interaction with other nations and their forces improves our ability to work cooperatively in a combined force or coalition environment," he added.

The last Cope India, conducted in November 2005, was a dissimilar air combat tactics field training exercise. This exercise will be the fourth installment of Cope India and continues to strengthen the bond between the U.S. and Indian air forces, according to 13th Air Force officials.

"I'm excited to be part of this exercise and I'm looking forward to sharing ideas and techniques with India's airmen," said Colonel Kincaid. "This is the third time I've taken a Yokota team to an exercise and it's an honor and a privilege every time I get to lead such an outstanding group of mission-focused professionals."

The Air Force has long-established ties with the Agra area, as it was home to the U.S. Army Air Forces' 3rd Air Depot supporting the famed "Hump" missions in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II.