Bangladesh–US Air Forces Begin Joint Exercise 'Cope South-2026' in Dhaka
A five-day joint military exercise, 'Exercise Cope South-2026', has begun with the participation of the Bangladesh Air Force and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). A total of 138 members of the two air forces are taking part in the exercise.
The exercise was inaugurated on Sunday (1 November) at Bangladesh Air Force Base Bir Uttam A K Khandaker in Dhaka Cantonment.
The Inter Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) said the exercise, held under the direction of the Armed Forces Division and the overall management of the Bangladesh Air Force, was opened with a welcome address by the base's Air Officer Commanding, Air Vice Marshal Haider Abdullah. Trishita Maula, Acting Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Dhaka, attended as a special guest.
Of the participants in the five-day exercise, 120 are from the Bangladesh Air Force and 18 from the US Pacific Air Forces.
The Air Force said the main goal of the joint exercise is to increase mutual cooperation and interoperability between the two air forces and to improve professional skills. Particular emphasis will be placed on exchanging experience and improving procedures in the operation and maintenance of C-130J and C-130B transport aircraft.
The exercise will cover the operation and maintenance of military transport aircraft, flight safety, base protection and emergency rescue operations, with professional knowledge and experience exchanged on each subject.
Special training and experience-sharing have also been arranged on aviation safety, hazardous materials management and risk control (HAZMAT), aerospace medicine and physiology, air cargo transport and handling, airbase defence and security, and rescue and firefighting operations for crashed aircraft.
The ISPR said the joint exercise will give members of both countries the opportunity to exchange ideas about each other's procedures, technical experience and best practices. Emphasis will also be placed on increasing the operational and maintenance capability of C-130 transport aircraft and strengthening mutual coordination in future activities.
