A 10-day long collaborative endeavour, 'Exercise Cope South-2024' involving the Bangladesh Air Force and the Pacific Air Force, USA, organised by Bangladesh ended at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu on Wednesday.

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest.

Combined exercise between Bangladesh Air Force and US Pacific Air Forces begins

He delivered the closing address among the invited guests and participants from both the nations and joined in a photo session.

Major General Erich C. Novak, head of delegation also put up his remarks on behalf of Pacific Air Force, USA. Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy, Ms Helen LaFave joined the ceremony as Special Guest. Besides, officials from the US Embassy, high-ranking officials from all three services as well as Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, participants from both the forces, representatives from Bangladesh Police attended the programme, said a media release of ISPR.

In 'Exercise Cope South-2024', one C-130J and one AN-32 transport aircraft from Bangladesh Air Force and two C-130J transport aircraft from the Pacific Air Force, USA participated alongside 250 members from the Bangladesh Air Force and 77 members from the Pacific Air Force, USA.

Joint exercise of BAF, US Pacific Air Force ends

Besides, 12 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Air Force, 30 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Army, and 40 paratroopers from the Bangladesh Navy actively participated in the exercise.

'Exercise Cope South' is designed to enhance BAF capability as well as to ensure maximum utilisation of the BAF transport aircraft in combating disaster and natural calamities.

This collaborative exercise is aimed to enhance interoperability between both the forces, facilitate exchange of training, standardisation of maintenance of transport aircraft, assessment of functional suitability of available equipment along with identification of future equipment requirements for improving capability through different activities.

This collaborative effort will not only bolster disaster response capabilities but also foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations, according to the press release.

It will also serve as a catalyst for strengthening the enduring friendship between Bangladesh and the United States.