New Delhi/ Alaska: The 17th Edition of Indo – US joint training exercise “Yudh Abhyas” has started at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska (US), a Defence Ministry statement said.
From India, 350 soldiers of the 7 Madras Infantry Battalion Group of Indian Army are participating alongside the US’ 300 soldiers belonging to First Squadron (Airborne) of the 40th Cavalry Regiment are participating in the exercise.
The opening ceremony, which was held on Friday, saw the unfurling of the national flags of both countries as the national anthems, “Jana Gana Mana” and “The Star-Spangled Banner” played.
The 14-day training schedule includes activities on joint training in Counter Insurgency and Counter-Terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate.
During the opening ceremony Major General Brian Eifler, Commander US Army, Alaska, formally welcomed the Indian contingent.
According to the statement, he urged both contingents to focus on improving cohesion and interoperability to achieve the training objectives of the exercise and stressed the importance of free exchange of ideas, concepts and best practices between the troops and the necessity to learn from each other’s experiences.
The joint exercise will facilitate both Armies to know each other better, share their wide experiences and enhance their situational awareness through information exchange.
It will also help them in undertaking joint operations at the Battalion level in mountainous terrain with cold climatic conditions under the ambit of United Nations.
