core sector communique

STATEMENT: EXERCISE YUDH ABHYAS 13 MAR 2012

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is part of an ongoing series of joint exercises between the Indian and United States Armies since 2005, agreed upon under the New Framework of India-US Defence Relationship. Commencing at the platoon level, the exercise has graduated to a command post (CPX) and field training exercise (FTX).

The seventh edition of Yudh Abhyas is currently underway since 05 March 12 in two locations under the South Western Command. The US Army contingent is from the US Army Pacific (USARPAC), part of their Pacific Command (PACOM). The CPX has an engineer brigade headquarters with its planners from both sides, while the FTX comprises troops of 2nd Squadron 14th US Cavalry Regiment from 25^th Infantry Division, Hawaii, along with a platoon of Strykers, and a similar sized Indian Army contingent of mechanized infantry. The event is all the more interesting as a number of key surveillance, communications and lED detection and neutralization technologies, available with both sides, are being fielded in the exercise.

On 13 March 12, the two sides executed a joint cordon and search drill to neutralise suspected insurgents, in a specially constructed training area at the ranges in an abandoned village. The drill, codenamed  DESERT LARK, saw the Indian and US troops establish a cordon using their combat  vehicles at night and then conduct dismounted searches by day to flush out insurgents as  also use the third dimension as part of the ops.

The CPX (SARVADA SAVIOURS)at Bathinda focussed on the challenges faced by Sappers in the domain of countering threats of  Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), infrastructure development in strife torn regions and  inaccessible areas and execution of rescue and relief operations during natural calamities or  disasters. The exercise provided an excellent opportunity to both sides to understand functioning of Engineer Brigades with special emphasis on operations under United Nations mandate in troubled areas.

DESERT LARK and SARVADA SAVIOURS was witnessed by an Indian and  US Army delegation, headed by the GOC-in-C South Western Command, and : Lt Gen Francis "Frank" Wiercinski, commander of the US Army Pacific, as also the co-chair of the Executive Steering  Group (ESG) for Indo-US army training events and exchanges. In addition, a number of senior members of the Indian Army also witnessed the drills and interacted with the troops participating in the exercise, both at Mahajan and Bathinda.