The US and Indian air forces will train together during the next installment of the Cope India exercise that begins on Thursday and runs through Oct. 24 at Air Force Station Agra in Uttar Predesh, India. This year’s activities will focus on airlift to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster-relief support. More than 150 USAF airmen, along with one C-17, three C-130Hs, and one C-130J, will travel to India to train with their Indian counterparts. “Exercises like Cope India strengthen solid military-to-military relationships with our air forces in the region,” said Raymond Bundschuh, lead planner for the exercise with 13th Air Force at Hickam AFB, Hawaii. (Hickam report by Capt. Genieve David)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.