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)
Congress is making moves to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, but lawmakers have only a few days left to clear the procedural hurdles necessary to ensure troops get paid Nov. 14. The issue is particularly pressing for tens of thousands of uniformed personnel in the Air National…
