By Amit Chaudhary

Agra, Oct 19 (UNI) C-130 H, C-130 J and C-17 planes of the US Air Force and AN-32 and IL-76 aircraft of the Indian Air Force soared in tandem into the clear blue skies today as India and United States initiated five-day long joint exercises at Air Force Station (AFS) Agra.

The COPE India- 09 has been planned in pursuance of the broad objective of increasing cooperation among the defence forces of the two countries.

The director of the exercise representing India, Group Captain Mathews Mammen said, ''The exercise will see the two Air Forces working to enhance their knowledge levels and understand the employment philosophies of both tactical and heavy lift platforms of USAF and IAF in joint operations.'' The main objectives of this exercise are to know each other’s operational aspects through joint planning and execution of missions and to train and expose exercise personnel for joint operations in a simulated hostile scenario.

Col Raymond Le Marche of USAF, the exercise director representing US, said this exercise would increase cooperation, friendship and understanding between the two forces as well as countries.

The US contingent comprised C-130 H, C-130 J and C-17 carriers, while IAF contingent included An-32 and IL-76 mainly.

Around 160 USAF and 250 IAF personnel are participating in the exercises. IAF is fielding its Rapid Action Medical Team and Special Forces Garuds.

US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer, present on the occasion said, ''The healthy and growing defence relationship between India and United States is part of a broader strategic partnership that derives from common principle and shared national security interests.'' These exercise will help the two forces to improve their performance in handling the disaster situations. The focus will be on humanitarian relief, casualty management and rescue operations.

As part of the exercise the Para-troopers from both the air forces performed Para jumping from different heights and with different parachutes. ''The use of different parachutes and different planes, as C-130 J and C-17 are new planes to us, helps us learning and experience new and better technologies,'' one of the para jumpers told reporters.

India is in talks with USAF for the purchase of one C-130 carrier plane and is also contemplating to buy C-17 carrier. This purchase, if it materialises, will give a great boost to the IAF in terms of rescue and relief missions.

Special mobile hospital recently procured from American company Alaska Structures Ltd was also displayed at the air base. This mobile hospital consists of 25 beds including Operation Theatre.

Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) Commanding Officer A Mukherjee said,''These mobile hospitals can easily be transported and be set up with in six to eight hours, which is much less than the older ones. It will help in providing instant relief to the victims.'' He added that it can only be used to perform limb and life saving surgeries only.

The cost of this fully air conditioned mobile hospital is around two million dollar.

Joint defence exercises between India and the US will help the establishment of a cordial relationship between the two countries besides India getting a new dimension in its defence power, Mr Roemer said.

He said the US was committed to increasing the strength of the Indian Air Force.

'' This joint exercise would stress upon crisis management, ground warfare, air combat training and will promote ways and means to establish peace'', he added.

This was the sixth such joint Indo-US exercise in the country and will continue till October 23.

The US Ambassador also stressed that these exercises would certainly draw both the countries closer.'' Both the countries would have better relationship in culture, industry and on the economic front besides in the field of crisis management and human relief'', Mr Roemer said.

He said by such joint exercises the US has given recognition to the Indian Air Force.

'' It is an honour for both the countries to go for such a joint exercise'', he added.