News>Globemaster conducts first mission for Cope India
Story at a Glance
• C-17 crew conducts first ever combined HALO mission with the Indian Air Force. • Twelve Indian Air Force Garud jumpers participated in the HALO mission.
Photos
Staff Sgt. Todd Tichawa, a loadmaster from the 535th Airlift Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, prepares to open the bay doors to a C-17 Globemaster III, during the first combined HALO mission of exercise Cope India Oct. 19. Cope India is humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise scheduled Oct. 19-23. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)
Special operations forces from the United States and India prepare to jump out of a C-17 Globemaster III, during the first combined HALO mission of exercise Cope India Oct. 19. Cope India is a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise scheduled Oct. 19-23. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)
Special Operations Forces from the United States and India prepare to jump out of a C-17 Globemaster III, during the first combined HALO mission of exercise Cope India Oct. 19. Cope India is a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise schedule Oct. 19-23. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)
A U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. assigned to the 353rd Combat Training Squadron jumps out of a C-17 Globemaster III during the first ever combined HALO mission with the United States and Indian air forces at Air Force Station Agra. More than 150 U.S. Air Force and Army personnel are deployed to India for Cope India, a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)
After a long days work, two U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron, from Yokota Air Base, Japan, rest at the days end under a Indian sunset at Air Force Station Agra. The aircraft along with a C-17 and more than 150 U.S. Air Force and Army personnel are deployed here as part of exercise Cope India, a humanitarian assistance disaster relief exercise Oct. 19-24. (U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Genieve David)
by Capt. Genieve David
13th Air Force Public Affairs
10/21/2009 - AIR FORCE STATION AGRA, India -- A C-17 Globemaster III crew conducted the first ever combined airdrop mission with Indian Air Force personnel here as part of exercise Cope India.
The 535th Airlift Squadron based out of Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, conducted a high altitude low opening mission with four U.S. Air Force Airmen and Soldiers, and 12 Indian air force Garud operators.
"This is the first time in our partnership that we've had the United States and India forces jump out of a C-17," Capt. Billy Dye, pilot from the 535 AS, and Greensboro, N.C. native said. "It's great that we get to share the capabilities of our aircraft with one another."
More than 160 U.S. Airmen and Soldiers, along with three C-130H Hercules, a C-17, and C-130J are participating in the exercise with Indian Air Force one IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlejes, two MI-17 Prataps and one Cheak Alouette III.
"Cope India allows our countries the ability to exchange humanitarian airlift, air land and airdrop delivery techniques," Captain Dye said. "And we look forward to continuing to foster theses great relationships that we are already making."
A U.S. Air Force master sgt. from the 353rd Combat Training Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, said he was excited to be a part of this historic flight. "I was amazed at the professionalism and skill displayed by my Indian counterparts. And I am enthusiastic about the future cooperation and combined operations with this strategic partner."
Cope India is an airlift exercise that focuses on the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Additionally, U.S. and Indian air forces will participate in aeromedical and disaster management exercises and several subject matter expert exchanges during the exercise.
