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)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told lawmakers Apr. 30 that the service’s biggest airlifter, the C-5 Galaxy, has a 37 percent mission capable rate—one of several challenges facing the mobility fleet.