India-US Army exercises train for extreme weather

Indian and US Army contingents carried out numerous training activities during the ongoing 'Yudh Abhyas Exercise' in Alaska, US. The Indian Army taught the US soldiers how to survive the avalanches and icy weather conditions.

As part of the ongoing Indo-US Defence Cooperation, the 17th Edition of India-US joint training exercise "Ex Yudh Abhyas 21" commenced at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska (US). The 14-day exercise had commenced on October 15.

During the exercise, the American troops demonstrated the setting up of their Arctic tents (which can hold up to 10 soldiers per tent). This was followed by a demonstration and later competition of setting up a tent in the fastest time possible by a mixed team of Indian and US troops, the Indian Army said.

The contingent of the Indian Army, comprising a team of instructors from the High Altitude Warfare School (HAWS), took a lecture-cum-demonstration of the various types of rock craft and snow craft equipment held with the trained mountaineers of the Army.

The Indian Army said that the instructors also taught the Americans how to survive avalanches and extremely cold weather conditions. The samples of respective Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) were also exchanged between the armies.

An informative lecture on "Prevention and treatment of High altitude illnesses and cold injuries" by an officer from the Indian Army's Medical Corps was conducted for both contingents, according to the Indian Army.

(ANI)