When the Indian Army impressed the US Army
Last updated on: November 18, 2010 08:12 IST
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
Indian Army has received an overwhelming pat on its back from the US forces for the professional manner in which it went about carrying out tasks assigned to it in Yudh Abhyas 2010. The 14-day combined training exercise enhanced relationships between the two militaries and expanded operational and cultural knowledge between Indian and US soldiers.
Lt Col Christopher Cassibry, commander of 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, leads the colour guard during the November 14 closing ceremony of combined training exercise Yudh Abhyas 2010 at Buckner Physical Fitness Centre on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
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When the Indian Army impressed the US Army
Image: Indian and US army soldiers sit in the back of a C-17 aircraft awaiting commands from jump masters to begin their combined parachute jump November 10
Photographs: Spc Tiffany Dusterhoft/US Army photo
"This two-week exercise brought these soldiers together for this increasingly complex exercise. What we've done here through Yudh Abhyas is important. It's important to this relationship between our two countries," said Brig Gen Raymond Palumbo, commanding general of the US Army in Alaska.
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When the Indian Army impressed the US Army
Image: A soldier from 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, assists the jump master inspection of the aircraft door in preparation for the combined parachute jump on November 10
Photographs: Spc Tiffany Dusterhoft/US Army photo
Approximately 750 soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (National Guard) and Indian army soldiers from the 62nd Infantry and 5th parachute Regiment Brigade participated in Yudh Abhyas 2010 and filled the formation during the ceremony.
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When the Indian Army impressed the US Army
Image: Soldiers from US Army Alaska and the Indian Army jump from a C-17 during the combined airborne jump that landed them at Malamute drop-zone Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
"I thought the outcome of this exercise was great. As far as our training objectives, we met all of them," Maj Edward Berg, brigade judge advocate, 4th ABCT, 25th ID, said, adding, "The thing that will last for me, that I will remember most, is just the time getting to know my counterpart and creating that friendship."
"We had a great time getting to know each other on a personal level as well as a professional level," Berg added. "I think it's important not only personally to make friends with people from different nations, but also professionally as we go more towards joint operating environments."
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: An Indian soldier prepares to land at Malamute drop-zone
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
"It's been great working with the Indian army. They are very professional," said Spc Justin Coates, infantryman in Charlie Troop, 1-40th CAV. "They really know what they are doing, and I felt confident with their ability to jump."
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: A US soldier packs his parachute after landing at Malamute drop-zone
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
"They have been able to adapt to our differences very quickly. So seeing them perform so well in this unfamiliar environment is amazing. From talking to them and working with them, I've learned that even though we wear different uniforms, we still share the same lifestyle," said Sgt Randy Henrion, team leader with Apache Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: Indian armymen tell US soldiers that they had a good jump as they walk up to turn-in their parachutes at Malamute drop-zone
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
Yudh Abhyas 2010 included a command post exercise that focused on combined peacekeeping operations, a field training exercise that included several combined missions, marksmanship and tactical training highlighted by a Javelin live-fire, a combined US and India airborne jump, as well as various cultural activities and social exchanges.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: An Indian soldier packs up his parachute and looks for the parachute turn-in point at Malamute drop-zone
Photographs: Spc Tiffany Dusterhoft/US Army Photo
The exercise was significant within all levels involved, Palumbo said.
It strengthened national bonds between India and the United States, it brought two allied militaries together on the same field, and gave each individual participant a chance to experience an unfamiliar culture and establish new friendships.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: An Indian soldier pulls security with a US soldier during a rehearsal at Forward Operating Base Sparta on November 11 in preparation for a night air assault and raid mission
Photographs: US Army Photo
"It's great that we brought two professional armies together for something like this. I think we've created great friendships for the future," Major Edward Berg, brigade judge advocate, 4th ABCT, 25th ID said.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: An Indian soldier pulls security during a rehearsal at Forward Operating Base Sparta in preparation for a night air assault and raid mission
Photographs: US Army Photo
Soldiers and leaders from both armies presented gifts to commemorate the bonds established through the training event, and bid farewell to each other to conclude the ceremony and Yudh Abhyas 2010.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: An Indian soldier prepares to clear a building during an air assault and raid mission at Site Summit on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Photographs: US Army Photo
Yudh Abhyas is a regularly scheduled bilateral, conventional-forces training exercise, sponsored by US Army, Pacific and the Indian Army.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: A US soldier pins US Army airborne jump wings on an Indian army soldier during a wing exchange ceremony on November 13 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The Soldiers earned their foreign jump wings on November 10 when they conducted a combined jump
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
The exercise is designed to promote cooperation between the two militaries to develop US Army Pacific and USARAK relationships with India and promote interoperability through combined military decision making process, battle tracking and manoeuvring forces, and exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures.
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Indian Army impresses US at Yudh Abhyas
Image: Lt Col Christopher J Cassibry, commander of 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, presents a gift to a leader from the Indian army during an airborne jump wing exchange ceremony on November 13
Photographs: Spc Ashley M Armstrong/US Army photo
Like in the last edition in Babina in India, this time too the Indian soldiers tried out several US-made weapons, including the Javelin Anti-Tank Guided Missile.
The Indian Army is buying at least 400 of the Raytheon-made weapons and the two sides are discussing a proposal to produce them under license and the Indian defence public sector Bharat Dynamics Limited.
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