Cope India 2006, the major exercise being staged in India by USAF and the Indian Air Force, is getting interesting. For the first time, USAF fighter pilots have gone up against India’s newest and most advanced aircraft—the Russia-designed Su-30 MKI. The MKI has thrust-vectoring capability, making it highly maneuverable. The air-to-air encounter unfolded on Nov. 9, said USAF. It pitted two F-16s against the Indian fighter. Some 250 PACAF airmen have deployed to India for the two-week exercise. No word yet on the result.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.