The Indian Air Force will carry out a joint exercise with its United States counterpart at West Bengal's Kalaikunda airbase under the Eastern Air Command in the first week of November. The US would deploy its F-16s and other sophisticated combat aircraft for the exercise christened 'Cope India', Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the EAC, Air Marshal F H Major, told newsmen in Shillong today.
The IAF will deploy its frontline fighter aircraft in the 10-day long exercise, Air Marshal Major, who took over as the AOC-in-C at the EAC headquarters in Shillong during the day, said.
The drill is part of the ongoing military exercise between the two countries and would be a learning experience for both, he said.
Air Marshal Major, who was deputy chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) in New Delhi before assuming his new charge, said the EAC was manning an area that has borders with five countries and has a huge responsibility in terms of national security and projection of air power.
"The EAC is prepared for any threats from the neighbouring countries at any point of time... Assessing threats is our main job on a daily basis," the AOC-in-C said.
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