Eastern Bridge VI
The Eastern Bridge VI exercise is the sixth edition of this bilateral training between the Bharatiya Vayu Sena (IAF, Indian Air Force) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO).
This year's training exercise was held from 21 to 25 February 2022 at Jodhpur Air Force Station (AFS) in the state of Rajasthan. The exercise alternates between India and Oman, Eastern Bridge V was held at Air Force Base Masirah, Oman, in 2019. The IAF contingent then comprised of MiG-29 fighters and C-17A transporters. This was the first time that Indian MiG-29s participated in international exercise outside India.
This type of training exercsies is of great importance to the IAF, not only to emphasise the interdependence between the two countries, but it is also a great opportunity to gain experience from close training with Western aircraft and tactics, especially the presence of F-16 fighters.
The goal of the exercise is to provide an opportunity to enhance operational capability and interoperability between the two air forces, exchange of experiences and enhancement of operational knowledge. The exercise focussed on offensive and defensive scenarios especially in air to air combat sorties.
Eastern bridge VI participants:
SWAC = South Western Air Command, CAC = Central Air Command
Photo by Indian Air Force