Dhaka, Feb 20: A six-day joint exercise titled ‘Exercise Cope South-2022’ under the management of Bangladesh Air Force with the participation of US Pacific Air Force started at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu on Sunday (20 February 2022). The exercise will play a vital role in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the members of Bangladesh Armed Forces in landing at battle field and delivering relief and rescue equipments to combatants during war / disaster by exchanging experiences between two countries.
Every year Pacific Air Force, USA has been conducting various training exercises in response for natural disasters in different parts of the world. On the other hand, Bangladesh is prone to various natural disasters every year due to its proximity to the sea and riverine geographical features as well as adverse effect of climate change. Bangladesh Air Force transport aircrafts are used to distribute the relief goods in the disaster affected areas during the disaster.
‘Exercise Cope South-2022’ is mainly aimed to deal with emergencies and natural disasters as well as ensuring maximum use of Bangladesh Air Force transport aircraft during war and peacetime. It is necessary to reach the disaster affected areas by carrying relief / rescue materials within the shortest possible time during natural calamity. As a part of the exercise, container drop exercise has been carried out from 03 C-130J aircrafts of Pacific Air Force and Bangladesh Air Force. About 60 paratroopers from the Army, Navy and Air Force and about 77 paratroopers from the Pacific Air Force, USA, participate in the exercise.
The container drop exercise will greatly increase the ability of Bangladesh Air Force to deliver large quantities of relief and rescue items by air transportation to disaster affected areas. Besides, the existing friendship between Bangladesh and the United States will be further strengthened through the exercise.
