ALMORA: A two-week joint military training exercise between India and US began on Thursday in Chaubattia near Ranikhet. Titled 'Yudh Abhyas', the exercise is part of one of the longest running joint military training and bilateral defence co-operation endeavours between the two countries. The opening ceremony was marked by unfurling of the national flags and singing of national anthems of both India and US.
The US contingent was represented by Company of 5th Infantry Battalion, 20 Infantry Regiment, 2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7 Infantry Division and the US Army, while the Indian side was represented by an infantry battalion.
Conducted once in every two years, this is the 12th edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by both countries. The military exercise will end on September 27.
The exercise will showcase the use of equipment for surveillance and tracking, specialist weapons for close quarter battle with terrorists, explosive and LED detectors and latest communication equipment.
"Over two weeks both the countries will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well developed tactical drills for neutralization of likely threats that may be encountered in UN peace keeping operations," a military official said.
A Punjabi-origin personnel serving as staff sergeant in the US Army, Balpreet Khaira told TOI that although the military exercises are similar in terms of peacekeeping mission, participation by Indian women soldiers have increased this year. "There is more active female participation in the joint military exercise this year on the Indian side. It's shows India's serious about women empowerment," said Khaira.
TOI
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