New Delhi, June 02: IAF will carry out its first globe circumnavigation as an IL-76 transport aircraft with 31 personnel onboard leaves today for Alaska to join the US-led coalition exercise codenamed 'Cooperative Thunder' from June 5 to 20. Though IAF had witnessed these annual exercises conducted between May and August as observers, this is for the first time that Indians have been invited to participate in the exercise in which 70 aircraft and 1, 500 air force personnel from seven nations would be involved.

Focusing on improving inter-operatability among close coalition air forces, the exercises are conducted in a realistic scenario with a complex air space and threat environment, an IAF spokesman here said.

Besides India and US, the other participating nations are the UK, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada, Japan and Singapore.

The IAF participation comprises one IL-76 medium haul strategic lift transport aircraft and 31 aircrew, ground crew and air defence personnel headed by Group Capt SRK Nair.

This is the first exercise being conducted by US after the completion of the recent 'Operation Iraqi Freedom.'

The IAF spokesman said "apart from enhancing the coordination and cooperation between the participating nations, the exercise 'Cope Thunder' would expose Indian aircrew to transport operations in a warlike situation at global level.

The exercise Cope Thunder, sources said would mark the 2003 Indo-US joint exercises with more army to army and joint naval manouevres on the cards.

Bureau Report