U.S., Bangladesh airmen switch seats during exercise Cope South 12

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt Cammie Quinn
  • Cope South 2012 Public Affairs
KURMITOLA AIR BASE, Bangladesh (AFNS) --  U.S. and Bangladesh air force flight engineers traded seats in a U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules cockpit for a subject matter expert exchange here, April 25, as part of exercise Cope South, a bilateral tactical airlift exercise conducted between the two air forces.

Cope Cope South participants conducted cooperative flight operations, to include aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation and subject-matter exchanges in the operations, maintenance and rigging disciplines.

C-130 flight engineers monitor aircraft engine systems, determine the performance of the aircraft and manage checklists during each flight.

"We are the engine-system experts for the aircraft," Master Sgt. Mark Crane, flight engineer, Kentucky Air National Guard, said. "We keep the checklists organized for quick reference during each flight mission."

During the flight, Bangladesh Air Force Sgt. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, flight engineer, traded seats with Crane to gain a better understanding of the C-130H systems, equipment and checklists.

"I gave Sergeant Moniruzzaman the option to sit where I do to get the whole picture from the actual seat, rather than standing behind to watch as I work," Crane said. "The hands-on interaction is important and allows our guests to become fully immersed in the process."

The flight was the first training interaction Moniruzzaman has had with the U.S. Air Force, and the C-130H model aircraft.

"It was interesting and I enjoyed seeing the different models," Moniruzzaman said. "It was a once in a lifetime experience."

The Bangladesh air force flies a C-130 B model, while the U.S. Air Force flies the C-130H. The models are the same airframe, but use different pressurization, engine and avionics systems.

"The exercise allows us to provide first-hand experiences and demonstrate new capabilities with our Bengali counterparts," Crane said. "The Airmen ask a lot of questions, and are very knowledgeable about their own aircraft."

Cope South participants exchange airlift, air-land and airdrop delivery techniques, and develop and expand combined airlift capabilities with the Bangladesh Air Force that promotes regional stability through relationship building and unity of purpose. Exercise Cope South ended April 26.