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Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

Indian Army personnel are taking part in a joint military exercise with their American counterparts involving airborne specialist operations in sub-zero temperatures in Alaska.

The fortnight-long exercise, which began on November 1, has 200 Indian infantrymen carrying out joint operations training, Yudh Abhyas (War Drill), at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richarson with airborne forces of the US Army.

US Army Sgt David Noffsinger ensures an Indian soldier follows proper firing technique during small arms training as part of the bilateral training exercise Yudh Abhyas on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Noffsinger is assigned to the 25th Infantry Division's Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team.

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Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Sgt Jose Badillo explains to an Indian soldier how to tighten his shot group during small arms training as part of the bilateral training exercise.

The Indian team comprises infantrymen from units of 62 Infantry Brigade and 5 Para. They will be holding the exercise till November 14 with the US Army's 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), which is also known as 'Spartan' of 25th Infantry Division, and the 79th Brigade Combat Team (National Guard).

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Staff Sgt Patrick Liddle (right) checks the harness straps of an Indian soldier as part of the bilateral training exercise Yudh Abhyas during basic airborne refresher training.

The exercise is designed to promote cooperation between the two militaries to promote interoperability through the combined military decision-making process, through battle tracking and manoeuvring forces, and exchange of tactics, techniques and procedures.

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Staff Sgt Michael Cavallo clips an Indian soldier to a zip-line for a 34-foot tower jump during basic airborne refresher training.

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Sgt 1st Class David Holmes hands static lines to Indian soldiers during basic airborne refresher training.

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

An Indian Army soldier practices US Army exiting techniques after jumping out of a 34-foot tower on a zip-line during basic airborne refresher training as part of the bilateral training exercise

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Cpt Daniel P Raymond waits with other US and Indian soldiers for a C-17 to take off from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US and Indian soldiers wait inside the Joint Mobility Complex before boarding a C-17 aircraft

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

Senior leaders from US and Indian armies conduct a troop inspection during the Yudh Abhyas opening ceremony of the annual joint and bilateral training exercise at the Buckner Physical Fitness Centre on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Cpl Balreet Kaur and Spc Jasleen Kaur, India-born sisters, compare common courtesies of the United States and India with an Indian soldier before the opening ceremony for the combined training exercise

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Sgt David Lowry explains proper fire positioning of an M-4 caliber rifle to an Indian soldier during their first day of joint training at the Battle Command Training Centre and Education Centre on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Spc Grant Fitz shows an Indian soldier where the magazine release is located on an M-4 caliber rifle during their first day of joint training

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Sgt Galan Carter instructs Indian soldiers on how to properly load an M-249 light machine gun.

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

US Army Sgt Galan Carter helps an Indian soldier with his M-4 carbine rifle during small arms training.

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

A US soldier guides an Indian soldier for administering first aid to a wounded soldier, during a training exercise

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

A soldier from the Indian army fires the Javelin anti-tank missile

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

Sgt Zachery Adkins, a scout with Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, issues orders to team leaders during training with Indian army soldiers on US Army troop leading procedures at forward operating base Sparta. The training was conducted to prepare soldiers from both 1-40th CAV and the Indian army for a zone reconnaissance mission later that day to kick-off the field-training exercise portion of combined training exercise

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

Indian army soldiers pull security during training on US Army troop leading procedures at forward operating base Sparta on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

Sgt Joshua Smith, team leader with Bravo Troop, 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, shows Indian soldiers the hand-and-arm signal for a linear danger area during a demonstration on movement techniques and hand and arm signals

Indian Army trains in icy Alaska

A soldier from the Indian army fires the Javelin anti-tank missile