Turkey, Pakistan hold joint drill

ISLAMABAD – Anatolia News Agency

AA Photo

The Turkish and Pakistani air forces have conducted a joint military exercise in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

The aerial operation, called “Indus Viper-2013,” took place between March 4 and 18 and aimed at bolstering the military cooperation between the Turkish and Pakistani air forces, developing coordination between the participating elements of the operation and improving information and experience sharing on different types of aircraft and armament.

The Pakistani Air Force issued a statement following the exercise, saying it provided an opportunity to combat crew of both the air forces to acquaint themselves with applied tactics of air power in a near-real scenario.

The Turkish Air Force joined the exercise with five F-16 warplanes and a tanker aircraft alongside combat pilots and ground technical crew.

High-level officials from both countries, including the chief of operations of the Turkish Air Force, Maj. Gen. Ateş Mehmet İrez, and his Pakistani counterpart, Vasim-ud Din, watched the exercise.