Published: 12:03 AM, 02 November 2026
US Air Force and BAF kick off Exercise Cope South
Senior officers of Bangladesh Air Force and US Air Force attended the opening ceremony of Exercise Cope South in Dhaka yesterday. High-ups from the US diplomatic mission in Dhaka joined the event too. Photo: US Embassy, Dhaka
The U.S. Air Force and Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) began Exercise Cope South on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at BAF Base BirUttam A.K. Khandker in Dhaka. The U.S. Pacific Air Forces sponsored the five-day exercise, which runs through November 5. Air Vice Marshall Haider Abdullah, Bangladesh Air Force and U.S. Embassy Dhaka Acting Deputy Chief of Mission TrishitaMaula welcomed participants at the opening ceremony, according to a press release received from the US Embassy, Dhaka yesterday.
Pilots, maintenance specialists and logistics teams from both countries will train side by side on C-130J operations and maintenance, cargo handling, aviation safety, emergency response, airfield security and medical support.
Cope South strengthens the ability of both air forces in responding to regional security challenges, natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. The hands-on training will sharpen their ability to deliver emergency supplies and support relief operations when a crisis strikes, the press release concludes.
