News United States Air Force
 US, Bangladesh bolster tactical airlift interoperability during Cope South 24Published March 5, 2024
                        
                        By Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell
                        
                        
                        Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (AFNS) --**
                Nearly 80 U.S. Air Force service members and two **C-130J Super Hercules** aircraft from the **36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron** integrated with Bangladesh for the bilateral tactical airlift exercise, Cope South 2024 at Bangladesh Air Force Bangabandhu Cantonment, Dhaka and Operating Location-Alpha, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Feb. 19 - 28.

Cope South 2024U.S. and Bangladesh Air Force loadmasters pose for a photo inside a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules after returning from a flying mission during Cope South 2024, Feb. 20, 2024, at BAF Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. CS24 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, bilateral tactical airlift exercise conducted in Bangladesh, with a focus on improving interoperability with the BAF and supporting the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ long-term modernization efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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                    From the right, Bangladesh Air Force Air Vice Marshal Badrul Amin, air officer commanding BAF Bangabandhu, is introduced to Pacific Air Forces medical personnel by U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Yim, PACAF Office of the Command Surgeon international health specialist, during the Cope South 2024 opening ceremony Feb. 19, 2024 at BAF Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. During the ceremony, AVM Amin greeted each participant representing the U.S. Air Force during a social hour followed by a welcoming meal. CS24 is a PACAF-sponsored, bilateral tactical airlift exercise that provides an opportunity for PACAF and BAF to strengthen their relationships while enhancing interoperability and supporting Bangladesh Armed Forces’ long-term modernization efforts to maintain regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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        Cope South 2024Bangladesh special forces load into a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron for a static-line jump during Cope South 2024, Feb. 27, 2024, at Sylhet, Bangladesh. As a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise, CS24 involved multiple interactions with Bangladesh Air Force service members such as subject-matter exchanges in best-practices in operations, maintenance, medical and rigging career fields to strengthen relations and support the armed forces of Bangladesh’s long-term modernization effort to maintain regional stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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Airmen from **Yokota Air Base** and **Kadena AB**, Japan; **Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam** and **Andersen Air Force Base**, Guam, came together to participate in subject-matter expert exchanges and six tactical airlift sorties alongside BAF, which involved 77 personnel jumps and five cargo bundle airdrops.

Cope South 2024 is a **Pacific Air Forces**-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise and provides an opportunity to strengthen the interoperability between U.S. and Bangladesh Air Forces, which directly impacts the ability to address shared security concerns.

“Cope South focuses on developing closer relationships with our BAF partners, so we are better equipped to operate together in the future,” said Capt. Jason Bentley, 36th EAS mission commander.

“We are building skills that assist in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, which encompass a wide range of areas including crew resource management, aircraft formation, airdrop operations, aircraft maintenance and aeromedical evacuation,” he added.

Throughout the exercise, both U.S. and Bangladesh Air Force service members exchanged best practices, or SMEEs, in the operations, maintenance, medical and rigging career fields to strengthen relations and support the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ long-term modernization effort to maintain regional stability.

Relationships built with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific through exercises like CS24, civil-military operations and military exchanges are vital in HADR efforts and preserving stability in the region. CS24 has helped cultivate these common bonds, fostered goodwill and enhanced the mission readiness and interoperability between members of the Bangladesh and U.S. Air Forces.

“The BAF loadmasters were kind and made our interactions and SME exchanges feel like we’re simply talking to old friends and sharing lessons learned as aviators,” said Master Sgt. Tonisha Odom, 36th EAS senior enlisted leader. “In the short time we were there, we developed a warm relationship and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the BAF, knowing we share a common commitment to protecting the sovereignty of free nations.”

Cope South 2024Air Force Tech. Sgt. Krista McGraw, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of mission scheduling, showcases a medical supply kit to Bangladesh Air Force medics during an AE demonstration in support of Cope South 2024, Feb. 27, 2024, near BAF Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. CS24, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise, provides airlift training for U.S. and Bangladeshi aircrews in aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop and air-land missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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        Cope South 2024Bangladesh Air Force Sgts. Akbar Hosen and Nazmus Sakib secure cargo in the back of a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules after retrieving airdrop and personnel during Cope South 2024, Feb. 22, 2024, at Bangladesh Air Force Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. CS24, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise, provides airlift training for U.S. and Bangladeshi aircrews in aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop and air-land missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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        Cope South 2024Bangladesh Air Force officers meet with U.S. Air Force Capt. Joshua Dillenbeck, 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron pilot, during a social hour after the opening ceremony for Cope South 2024, Feb. 19, 2024, at BAF Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. When participating in routine exercises with military forces of regional partners such as Bangladesh, the U.S. upholds commitment to peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific region. CS24 promotes building strong relationships with regional partners and enhancing interoperability by training side by side. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
            
            
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Through bilateral exercises like Cope South 2024, the U.S. Air Force and involved regional partners strengthen human relationships under the common goal of stabilizing the region and ultimately safeguarding the security of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The Pacific Air Forces’ participation in Cope South 2024 has indeed reaffirmed the strong bond of frivolity, friendship and cooperation between our two air forces,” said BAF Air Vice Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Air Headquarters assistant Chief of Air Staff operations during the closing ceremony.

“Exercise Cope South has not only been about military events and strategic exercise, but has embodied the spirit of partnership amongst missions,” he concluded. “This exercise has surely paved the way for newer optimism in forming our existing bond and commitment to uphold the calls of humanity.”LR 



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