Special Forces Communities build skills, friendships during Vajra Prahar

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann | Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash. - Soldiers with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the Indian Army’s 3rd Paramilitary Special Forces Battalion patrol a training compound, Oct. 25, at Joint Base Lewis-McCord, Wash. The patrol is part of a two-week bilateral training exercise, Vajra Prahar. The event is a bilateral joint combined exchange training exercise that improves the ability of the forces involved to respond to a wide range of contingencies to include mission planning, air assault, small unit tactics and raiding a target. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ryan Hohman, 1st Special Forces Group Public Affairs Office)  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

12.07.2019

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Jared Gehmann 

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) hosted the Indian Army’s 3rd Paramilitary Special Forces Battalion for the joint training exercise Vajra Prahar Oct. 14 -24 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.
The two-week event is a bilateral joint combined exchange training exercise that improves the ability of the forces involved to respond to a wide range of contingencies.
“Generally we rotate between holding the exercise in India and holding it here in the U.S.,” said Capt. Cody, who serves as an operator with 1st SFG (A).
This year it was 1st SFG (A) turn to host it here at JBLM. The past few years have seen increased cooperation between the two countries' military forces with a remarkable expansion of bilateral training exercises. The spirit of this exercise highlighted the two countries working together and strengthening their partnership to combat terrorism and piracy.
“We covered a lot of small unit tactics, military operations in urban terrain, intelligence preparation of the battlefield, static airborne operations, along with various other maritime operations,” said Cody.
The training led to a culminating event that included Soldiers from 1st SFG (A), the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and 3rd Para SF conducting an airborne assault into an urban environment that highlighted and tested them on all aspect of the training they received throughout the two weeks.
“I think this [training] really speaks to the capabilities of both sides and how adaptive both elements are,” said Cody.
As the dust and smoke settled from the raid, both units were able to bond while discussing what they learned and exchange their coveted jump wings. This tradition dates back to World War II where units exchanged their nation’s airborne badge after conducting airborne operation together.
“Overall I think the training went well,” said Cody. “We definitely were able to come to a level of understanding between the two units.”
At its core, the training is designed to allow both sides to leave the training with improved tactical and technical proficiency and increase their ability to partner with each other in the future.
“Really the most fundamental aspects of this exercise are to build relationships and friendships that we will be able to share and exercise in the years to come as nations and special operators,” said Cody.
The U.S. is committed to broadening ties with Indo-Asia-Pacific partners. As part of the rebalance, the U.S. is strengthening traditional alliances while enhancing forward presence in Southeast Asia, in Oceania and the Indian Ocean.
“After this exercise, we can see both Special Forces [units] coming on the same platform, and their cooperation was commendable,” said Col. D.S. Solanki, commander of 3rd Para SF. “This will help us in the future if we have to work together for establishing peace in the rest of the world.”

• Date Taken: 12.07.2019
• Date Posted: 12.07.2019 17:05
• Story ID: 354649
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US