RIANG’s 143rd AW furthers partnership with Indian airlifters

BENGALARU, KA, INDIA

02.23.2017

Story by Capt. Mark Lazane 

Pacific Air Forces

AIR FORCE STATION YELAHANKA, BENGALARU, INDIA—The C-130J took to flight without even an introduction, almost unnoticeable among the multiple aircraft demonstrations taking place on day two of Aero India 2017 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, India Feb. 15, 2017.
A few minutes later, much higher than the other aircraft involved in the aerial demonstration, at about 7,000 feet, the aircraft soared over the flightline. Few people even looked up, most not even aware of its existence.
Slowly, the crisp, blue sky began to flash shades of green, small specks growing larger as the seconds ticked by.
The roar of the crowd began to rise, meekly at first but growing to a fevered pitch as they acknowledged the specks for what they were, incoming parachute jumpers from the United States Air Force’s 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Force Base, Japan, and the Indian army, jumping together for the first time.
By the time the first jumper touched down, his parachute softly deflating in the afternoon breeze, the aircraft and its occupants were the stars of the show. Attendees were ready for the second pass, their exuberance on full display as the C-130J delivered even more bundles of joy to the waiting crowd.
For the crew, members of the Rhode Island Air National Guard’s 143rd Airlift Wing, it was just another day’s work on their two-week business trip to India, which took them from the peaks of the Himalayas to this Indian Air Force base on the outskirts of Bengalaru, a city of 8 million people and the technology center of India.
The U.S. and India both fly the C-130J as their primary tactical airlift platform. Though the Rhode Island Air National Guard and the Indian Air Force have a six year-partnership, it was the first time a U.S. Air Force C-130J operated on the Indian subcontinent.
“Flying in the airshow enabled us to carry Indian Army Special Forces as well as paratroopers from the 320th STS,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Mike Collins, a C-130J pilot. “We performed multiple joint force airdrops including joint jumpmaster briefings and daily detailed mission coordination exercises.”
That describes the J-model’s role at Aero India, but does not come close to encapsulating its busy week leading up to the event.
The week before, the 143rd AW linked up with the 77th Special Operations Squadron of the Indian Air Force to perform what Collins described as a “groundbreaking and overwhelmingly successful” subject matter expert exchange based out of Hindon Air Station, India.
During the SMEE, the two units bolstered their longstanding friendship and operational relationship by completing multiple simulator, aircraft and personnel interfly sorties, formation flights, personnel airdrops, container delivery system, heavy equipment and combination airdrops, tactical low-level operations, and high altitude mountainous training events in the Himalayas.
As part of the exchange, U.S. and Indian crew members flew on each other’s aircrafts, including the first-ever joint interfly and landing of a USAF C-130J and IAF C-130J at Leh Airbase, the highest operational airbase in the world at over 5,100 meters (16,700 feet).
The friendship between the two units at Aero India was noticeable, as Indian Air Force pilots were a near-constant presence at the U.S. Air Force’s C-130.
“It was enjoyable flying the airdrop profile and showcasing the tactical ability of this aircraft during our visit here,” said Collins. “The hospitality of the Indian military has been unbelievable, beginning with our trip to Hindon, hosted by the ‘Veiled Vipers,’ who led the way with their professionalism and welcoming nature, and ending with working with Indian Special Forces here at Aero India.”
Though the point of the Aero India aerial demonstration was to wow the locals, the U.S. crewmembers were similarly impressed with their Indian friends.
“Eight of the 11 people we brought here are on their first trip to India,” said Collins. “Communication and execution with these units was flawless. We hold everyone we interacted with in the Indian military in high regard. We were very impressed with the hospitality and gracious efforts of our Indian hosts.”

• Date Taken: 02.23.2017
• Date Posted: 02.23.2017 20:42
• Story ID: 224404
• Location: BENGALARU, KA, IN