KARACHI, March 17: The international air exercise ‘Indus Viper-II’ conducted between the air forces of Pakistan and Turkey concluded at an operational air base of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Sunday.

Major-General Ares Mehmat, Chief of Operations at the Turkish Air Force (TuAF) was the chief guest at the culmination ceremony. Air Marshal Waseemuddin, deputy Chief of Air Staff (Operations) at the PAF, and, M. Babur Hizlan, the Turkish ambassador were also present on the occasion.

The TuAF contingent comprising five F-16s C&D (Fighting Falcons), combat pilots, and, ground technical crew participated in the Indus Viper-II, conducted from March 4 to 16, 2013.

The PAF emphasises on combat training of its air and ground crew and regularly undertakes air exercises with allied air forces. These exercises not only play a vital role in honing the combat skills of PAF air crew but also enable them to learn latest airpower employment strategies in complex theatres of warfare.

Air exercise Indus Viper-II provided an opportunity to combat crews of both the PAF and TuAF to acquaint themselves with applied tactics of airpower in simulated scenario.

PAF has been participating in number of international air exercises with some of the best air forces of the world, including the United States Air Force (USAF) and Italian Air Force among air forces of other allied countries.

Exercise Anatolian Eagle is conducted every alternate year and similarly exercises Red Flag and Green Flag are conducted between the PAF and USAF also alternate years.

The brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey have a long history of military cooperation and exercise Indus Viper-II was also planned in the same backdrop. —PPI