India-US Army's joint military drill in Uttarakhand ends

An India-US combined military training exercise - Yudh Abhyas 2014 - in Uttarakhand concluded Sep 30, officials said Wednesday, adding the exercise strengthened cooperation between the two armies.

The exercise, which commenced Sep 17 Ranikhet and Chaubattia, was the 10th in the Yudh Abhyas series, which began 2004 under US Army Pacific partnership programme.

Officials told IANS that the exercise strengthened and broadened "interoperability and cooperation between the Indian and the US armies".

Over the years, the two countries have decided to progressively increase the scope and content of the combined training exercise.

The exercise this year witnessed a brigade headquarter based command post exercise, an infantry company carrying out field training exercise, and discussions on strategic issues.

"The exercise curriculum was planned progressively where the participants were initially familiarised with each other's organisational structure, weapons, equipment, and tactical drills," an official of the central command said.

"Subsequently, the training advanced to 'Joint Tactical Exercises' wherein the battle drills of both the armies were practiced," the official added.

He added the training culminated after a 48-hours consolidation and validation exercise witnessed by senior officers and observers of both the armies.

The final exercise was reviewed by Major General Lawrence Haskins of the US Army and Major General Ashwani Kumar of the Indian Army.

The US General expressed his satisfaction on the conduct of training and praised the efforts of his counterparts.