U.S.-India Defense Exercises

Photograph by Elizabeth Thompson/U.S. Navy

The USS Nimitz, one of the world’s largest aircraft carriers, was in Chennai in early July. It is the first-ever port call in India by a U.S. aircraft carrier. It can carry 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, including the F-18 “Super Hornet.” The super carrier has a flight deck area of about 1.8 hectares and accommodates over 5,000 crew members. While docked near Chennai, sailors from USS Nimitz volunteered in numerous goodwill events in the local community, such as cleaning local sites and refurbishing buildings.

(Originally published in July/August 2007)

Indian and American aircraft carriers, submarines and other naval vessels participated in the Malabar 05 joint exercises, allowing some 10,000 personnel from both countries to practice anti-terrorism operations and rescue missions in the Arabian Sea from September 25 to October 5. A news conference aboard the INS Mysore is addressed by Capt. S.P.S. Cheema of the INS Viraat and U.S. Navy Capt. Michael Smith, along with commanding officers of the other vessels in the exercise (above right). On the left is a view of ships during the exercise and top right, a Sea Harrier takes off from the INS Viraat.

(Originally published in Nov/Dec 2005)