http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/750458.cms
Days of thunder: IAF topguns fly past
CHIDANAND RAJGHATTA
TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23, 2004 12:34:24 AM ]
WASHINGTON: The IAF is off to Alaska for Cooperative Cope Thunder, its second joint air exercise with the United States Air Force.
The IAF group, ten aircraft in all, will enter Canada on July 2 and reach Alaska on July 7 for exercises that are slated to begin on July 15.
“The IAF has never been on such a journey and we just want to be careful getting our planes and equipment across safely,” a senior IAF official said.
“This is a big honour and a big debut for us,” the official said.
The IAF is in an upbeat mood after USAF officials showered high praise on the Indian service following the Gwalior exercises, crediting it with excellent skills and equipment.
“The Gwalior Cope Thunder was an eye-opener for them but we also learnt a lot and hope to see and learn even more at Alaska,” the IAF official said.
The IAF threw its top-of-the-line fighter planes, including Sukhois and Mirages, at the USAF in Gwalior. The Jaguars are of relatively older vintage, but officials said they still remained very relevant.
The Indian squad has been drawn from bases in Gorakhpur and Ambala, and among the pilots are the top guns of the IAF, including some young flight lieutenants and flying officers.
There is also a large continent of technical and maintenance crew that keep the aircraft fit to fly.
The exercises will take place at the Eyelson Air Force Base in Fairbanks in Central Alaska, with the US squad drawn from the Elmendorf AFB.
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/holnus/002200406220318.htm
IAF contingent leaves for US
Ambala, June 22.(PTI): The Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent for Exercise ‘Co-operative Cope Thunder-04’ at Alaska (USA) compressing six Jaguar, one IL-76), and 2 IL-78 flight refueling aircrafts took off from Ambala Air Force Station on Tuesday morning.
A glittering function was organised to flag off the aircraft.
Besides a number of Air force dignitaries, Air Chief Marshal K Krishnaswamy and Air Officer Commanding in-chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal S P Tyagi were also present on this occasion.
Addressing the air staff, Krishnaswamy reposed his confidence in the ability of the air warriors to participate in an international exercise in a professional manner.
He advised the pilots participating in it to fully exploit the learning opportunity.
Air Marshal Tyagi flagged off the aircrafts in a colourful ceremony.
Air Commodore, L K Malhotra, Air officer Commanding, Ambala Air Force Station expressed confidence that the pilots would put up a good show and gain invaluable experience.
Group Captain (GC) S J Nenodkar is leading the Jaguar fleet while GC Shouvik Roy is heading the IL-78 and GC Mohanti is leading the IL-76 aircraft.
As many as 40 pilots have been participating in this exercise. Indian Air Force is participating first time in this international exercise.
The countries which had been participating in this exercise include USA, Canada, UK, Germany, Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. The IAF contingent is expected to return to India on August 6.
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