Bangladesh-US joint air exercise 'Cope South-2026' ends

The five-day joint air exercise “Exercise Cope South-2026,” involving the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), successfully concluded on Thursday.

The closing ceremony of the exercise was held at Bangladesh Air Force Base AK Khandker in Dhaka Cantonment, said an ISPR release.

Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations) Air Vice Marshal Rusad Din Asad attended the ceremony as the chief guest.

In his speech, he highlighted the importance of joint training and exchange of experiences. Head of the US delegation Colonel Henry E Plagrodot also spoke on various activities of the exercise.

The exercise featured training and experience-sharing on the operation and maintenance of C-130J and C-130B transport aircraft, aviation safety, hazardous materials management, aviation medicine, air cargo transportation, airbase security, and post-aircraft accident firefighting and rescue operations, among other key areas.

A total of 120 members of the Bangladesh Air Force and 18 personnel from the US Pacific Air Forces participated in the exercise, the ISPR added.