OTA Chennai Passing Out Parade 21 November 2020

• OTA Chennai has conducted the Passing Out Parade of SSC – 110 courses and SSC(W) – 24 courses at the Parameshwaran ground on 21st Nov 2020 at 0610 HRS onwards. Normally right there to experience the proud moment and congratulate their sons, parents of the newly commissioned army officers this year had to be content with watching the parade virtually.
• Since the family members have not attended the passing out parade at OTA Chennai, the Indian Army would put in maximum efforts to ensure that the event is covered extensively in real-time through media so that they could witness their dear ones gloriously passing out as officers of Indian Army.
• The parade was live telecasted on DD Bharti and DD Podhigai. Apart from this users can also watch the live telecast on our YouTube Channel.

Combat Free Fall (CFF) Exercise by Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS)

• Sustained efforts by Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) towards high operational readiness witnessed conduct of Combat Free Fall (CFF) exercise by Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) at all the airfields of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 17th and 18th November 2020.
• The exercise enhanced the operational skills of troops to jump at a distance far away from their target from heights of over 10,000 feet and open their parachutes at a low altitude after free-falling for a period of time and quietly glide to their objective.
• The CFF exercise was undertaken in a realistic tactical setting under the present security state of the country.
• The CFF jumps revalidated the Indian Navy’s Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) on CFF parachute insertion on the islands. The exercise involved specially trained MARCOS of ENC and ANC.

Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) Exercise

• The 30th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy is being conducted from 18 – 20 November 2020. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette and His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Kraburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate along with Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both the navies are participating in the CORPAT.
• As part of Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security AndGrowth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been involved in assisting countries in the Indian Ocean Region with EEZ Surveillance, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), and other capacity building and capability-enhancement activities, on their request. India and Thailand have especially enjoyed a close and friendly relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which have strengthened over the years.
• To reinforce maritime links, the two navies have been carrying out CORPAT along their International Maritime Boundary Line twice a year since 2005, with the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean safe and secure for commercial shipping and international trade. CORPAT builds up the understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates institution of measures to prevent and suppress Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. It further enhances the operational synergy by exchange of information for prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of SAR operations at sea.
• The 30th Indo-Thai CORPAT will contribute towards Indian Navy’s efforts to consolidate inter-operability and forge strong bonds of friendship with Royal Thai Navy.

US Navy deploys USS Barry, guided-missile destroyer, to South China Sea

• The U.S. Navy sent the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG 52) to South China Sea to conduct maritime security operations and promote peace and stability in the region.
• “A continued presence in the South China Sea is vital in maintaining a free and open indo-pacific,” said Cmdr. Chris Gahl, Barry’s commanding officer. “The freedom of all nations to navigate in international waters is critically important. Barry’s transit of the Taiwan Strait yesterday ensured the right and instills the confidence of all nations to trade and communicate in the South China Sea.”
• “It is incredible the number of fishing boats and merchants who pass through and conduct their business in these waters every day,” said Lt. j.g. Jordan Brooks, one of Barry’s officers of the deck. “To accomplish our mission safely, effectively and professionally, Barry constantly works as a team and is always alert and communicating.”
• U.S. Navy guided missile destroyers assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, the largest U.S. destroyer squadron, have maintained a constant presence in the South China Sea. This November marks the fifth time of the 2020 deployment that Barry has conducted routine operations in the South China Sea.
• “This past April, Barry conducted a Freedom of Navigation (FON) operation around the Paracel Islands and then rendezvoused with the USS America expeditionary strike group for operations in the South China Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Baker, Barry’s plans and tactics officer. “Whether operating independently or as a part of a larger group, Barry serves as a highly visible symbol of the overwhelming force the United States can deploy to defeat aggression.”
• Maintaining a constant presence in the Indo-Pacific, Barry has sailed over 65,000 nautical miles this year and participated in eight multi-national exercises and training evolutions alongside partners from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. Most recently, Barry participated in exercise Keen Sword, a biennial exercise designed to enhance Japan-U.S. combat readiness and interoperability while strengthening relationships and demonstrating U.S. resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.
• Barry is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, and assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15. Barry is underway in the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Air Force B-52H bombers conduct short-notice mission into Middle East

• The U.S. Air Force announced that four B-52H Stratofortresses bombers assigned to the 5th Bomb Wing, Minot Air Force Base, N.D., conducted a short-notice, long-range mission into the Middle East on Nov. 21 to deter aggression and reassure U.S. partners and allies.
• In a release, U.S. Central Command Public Affairs reported the non-stop mission demonstrates the U.S. military’s ability to deploy combat airpower anywhere in the world on short notice and integrate into United States Central Command (CENTCOM) operations to help preserve regional stability and security.
• “Bomber Task Force missions highlight the robust and varied USAF capabilities that can be made rapidly available in the CENTCOM AOR,” said Lt. Gen. Greg Guillot, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central) commander. “The ability to quickly move forces into, out of and around the theater to seize, retain and exploit the initiative is key to deterring potential aggression. These missions help bomber aircrews gain familiarity with the region’s airspace and command and control functions and allow them to integrate with the theater’s U.S. and partner air assets, increasing the combined force’s overall readiness.”
• During the mission, the bomber aircrews integrated with air operations centers and other AFCENT assets such as F-15E “Strike Eagles,” F-16 “Fighting Falcons,” KC-10 “Extenders” and KC-135 “Stratotankers.”
• CENTCOM is committed to preserving and protecting the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce throughout the region. The United States does not seek conflict, but continues to be postured and committed to respond to any contingency around the world.
• The last U.S. long-range bomber presence in the Middle East was in early 2020.

QUICK REVIEW

1. The 30^th edition of Indo – Thai Patrol was conducted from
2. 15 – 17 November 2020
3. 16 – 18 November 2020
4. 17 – 19 November 2020
5. 18 – 20 November 2020

ANSWER: D

• Indian Ship that has participated in Indo – Thai CORPAT 2020 was
• INS Shubhadra
• INS Talwar
• INS Karmuk
• INS Kolkata

ANSWER: C

• Thai Ship that has participated in Indo – Thai CORPAT 2020 was
• HTMS Kraburi
• HTMS Naresuan
• HTMS Taksin
• HTMS Thonburi

ANSWER: A

• Recently, the U.S. Navy sent which guided-missile destroyer to South China Sea to conduct maritime security operations and promote peace?
• USS Cole
• USS Barry
• USS Porter
• USS John S McCain

ANSWER: B

• U.S. Central Command Public Affairs announced that four of which aircraft conducted a short-notice, long-range mission into the Middle East on Nov. 21?
• B-52H Stratofortress bombers
• Falcon 8X
• F-16 Fighting Falcon
• Both A and B

ANSWER: A