It was a ‘big fight’. The war machines of the Indian Air Force zoomed into the skies. The F-15s, popularly known as ‘eagles’, of the United States Air Force (USAF) were already there in a tenable position. An MiG-27 unleashed her lethal power and the ‘eagles’ answered it with matching prowess. In the same vein, when the ‘eagles’displayed their ‘own’ tactics, the IAF’s ‘stings in store’ silenced them with their awesome manoeuvres. Unrelenting to give up the ‘fight’, both sides gave a taste of their forte to each other. While Gwalior’s skies became a war theatre for this mock exercise, held as a part of Indo-US combat air exercise, the ‘defensive’ and ‘offensive’ air missions carried out by the two sides left the spectators spell-bound with the aerial marvels.

The exercise, codenamed ‘Cope India-04’, was the second and the largest one in the Cope India series involving fighter aircraft from both sides. Six F-15s from the Pacific Command of the USAF were pitted against Su-30s, Mig-21 Bisons, Mirage-2000 and MiG-27 during this ten-day exercise conducted at Air Force Station, Gwalior. The exercise provided a platform for the participants to learn from each other in the aerial combat. ‘It’s a fruitful interaction and heralded a beginning in joint air operations", said Air Marshal A Bhavanani, Senior Air Staff Officer, Central Air Command, Allahabad. While Cope India-02 held at Agra focussed on air transport functions, this exercise identified areas of commonality between the two forces in terms of operations, maintenance and administration for future joint exercises.

Col FG Neubeck who led the US team said that aircrew of the both sides learnt each other’s operating philosophy. "With rapid developments in aerial warfare, the IAF has to review its techniques from time to time. This exercise enabled the men-in-blue to evaluate themselves against one of the best air forces in the world", added Air Marshal Bhavanani. " We are at par with each other. Especially, our aerial tactics do match with theirs", said Air Cmde SP Rajguru, AOC, Air Force Station, Gwalior.

The participants looked upbeat after taking part in offensive counter air (OCA) versus defensive counter air (DCA) missions, attack and protection of high value aerial asset (HVAA) and air combat manoeu vering missions. "These missions brought us closer", said Flt Lt Ashish Sharma who looked content with his interaction with the US pilots. The US participants appeared enamoured with the arsenal of the IAF. With a beaming face, Capt Dave Skalicky, who had earlier participated in joint operations with countries like Japan, England, France and Canada, disclosed that given a chance he would be interested to fly Su-30.

-Suprasanthi Devi

from Gwalior