A 10-day long joint exercise, 'Exercise Cope South-2024' arranged by the Bangladesh Air Force (BAF), commenced at the Bangladesh Air Force Base Bangabandhu on February 19. 

This collaborative effort includes the participation of the Pacific Air Force, the USA and is poised to significantly enhance the operational efficiency of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, according to an ISPR press release on Sunday.

The exercise focuses on refining skills related to battlefield landings and the delivery of relief and rescue equipment through exchange of knowledge and experiences between the two nations.
 
The annual practice by the Pacific Air Force, the USA, in response to natural disasters worldwide, aligns with Bangladesh's vulnerability to various natural disasters, the release said. 

The country's coastal and riverine geography, coupled with the adverse effects of climate change, necessitates proactive disaster response measures. Rapid transportation and distribution of relief and rescue materials to the affected areas during such catastrophes is vital and the transport aircraft of Bangladesh Air Force plays a pivotal role in such scenarios. 

The exercise primarily aims to enhance BAF capability as well as to ensure maximum utilization of BAF transport aircraft in both wartime and peacetime scenarios. 

As part of the exercise, a Container Drop drill was conducted near Sylhet Cantonment on 25 February 2024, Sunday using two C-130J aircrafts (One C-130J aircraft from the Pacific Air Force, USA and one C-130J aircraft from Bangladesh Air Force). This will certainly enhance Bangladesh Air Force's capability to airlift substantial quantities of relief and rescue materials to disaster-affected areas quickly in a safe manner.

This collaborative effort will not only bolster disaster response capabilities but also foster mutual understanding and cooperation between the two nations.