No word yet on whether the Indian Air Force is besting USAF in this year’s Cope India exercise, as they did in 2004. USAF officials say, though, that there is a growing sense of camaraderie between the two air forces. Approximately 250 Pacific Air Forces airmen joined their Indian counterparts on Nov. 7 to begin the two-week air combat training exercise. Participants include F-16s from Misawa AB, Japan, and an E-3 Sentry from Kadena AB, Okinawa, Japan, with the Indians flying several MiG models and the Su-30.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
