A 45-member contingent of the IAF left for Israel on Tuesday from here to participate for the first time in exercise ‘Blue Flag-17,’ there starting November 2 and ending November 16. This is a bi-annual multilateral exercise which aims to strengthen military cooperation amongst participating nations and the IAF is making its debut since diplomatic relations were established between the two countries in 1990.
IAF is participating with the C-130J special operations aircraft along with Garud commandos. The exercise would provide a platform for sharing of knowledge, combat experience and in improving operational capability of the participating nations. The exercise is taking place at Uvda Air Force Base in Israel. The team consists of personnel from various combat elements of the IAF and is led by Group Captain Maluk Singh. Officials said this exercise gives an opportunity to the IAF to share and learn best practices with some of the best professionals from other Air Forces.