Cope South 15 successfully ends

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jake Bailey
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
BAF BASE BANGABANDHU, Bangladesh (AFNS) --  U.S. and Bangladesh air force (BAF) personnel joined together for the closing ceremony of exercise Cope South 15 (CS15) here Jan. 29.

Airmen from each force took the opportunity to thank each other for the teamwork, professionalism and close cooperation that was displayed during the exercise.

"Cope South is a prime example of how combined forces can rapidly respond and integrate with each other to execute airlift operations across the Pacific (area of responsibility) during contingencies and crises," said Maj. Adam Staubach, the 36th Airlift Squadron mission commander. "Like us, our Bangladesh air force counterparts value the peace and stability that airpower through partnership can deliver to this region."

This year, U.S. and BAF Airmen flew 25 sorties, dropped 840 paratroopers and delivered 20 low-cost, low-altitude and container delivery system airdrop bundles to forward drop zone locations. Eighty U.S. Airmen, along with three C-130H Hercules aircraft from the 36th ALS at Yokota Air Base, Japan, joined approximately 200 Bangladesh air force service members and one Bangladeshi C-130B aircraft from the 101st Special Flying Unit during the exercise. This year featured the first participation of F-7BG fighter aircraft from BAF's 5th Squadron, which provided intercept and escort duties for C-130 fight operations.

During CS15, U.S. and Bangladesh air forces exchanged airlift, air-land and airdrop delivery techniques aimed towards advancing their combined ability to respond to regional disasters.

Air Officer Commanding of BAF Base Bangabandhu Air Commodore Mohammad Obaidur Rahman said the tactics, techniques and procedures shared during the exercise are beneficial for ensuring BAF and U.S. interoperability during future operations.

Cope South participants placed emphasis on developing USAF-BAF relationships and continuing to seek additional engagement opportunities, particularly in areas of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, aviation safety, airlift and aviation maintenance and logistics.

"Our BAF counterparts are true professionals," Staubach said. "We appreciate the close relationship we share and their willingness to host major events, exercises and operations that are critical to advancing our mutual understanding of each other's capabilities and enhancing our ability to operate together."