During the latest Cope India exercise, running Oct. 19-23 and focusing on airlift operations, a C-17 from Hickam AFB, Hawaii, served as the platform—for the first time—for a combined US and Indian military HALO (high altitude, low opening) jump. Four US soldiers and 12 Indian troops made the jump. Some 160 airmen and soldiers, three C-130Hs, a single C-130J, and one C-17 are participating in this Cope India event. The Indian Air Force is employing one IL-76 Gajraj, four AN-32 Sutlejes, two Mi-17 Prataps, and one Cheak Alouette III. Capt. Billy Dye, a C-17 pilot with Hickam’s 535th Airlift Squadron, said, “Cope India allows our countries the ability to exchange humanitarian airlift, air-land, and airdrop delivery techniques.” (13th Air Force report by Capt. Genieve David)
U.S. Space Command has established an internal planning team, dubbed Tasked Force Voyager, to spearhead logistics for the combatant command's relocation from Colorado to Alabama.
