KURMITOLA AIR BASE, Bangladesh - Flight engineers from the Kentucky Air National Guard and Bangladesh air force traded seats in the cockpit of a U.S. Air Force C-130H Hercules for a subject matter expert exchange here April 25.
The exchange was a part of exercise Cope South, a bilateral tactical airlift exercise conducted between the U.S. and Bangladesh air forces.
"I gave sergeant Moniruzzaman the option to sit where I do to get the whole picture from the actual seat, rather than standing behind to watch as I work," said Air Force Master Sgt. Mark Crane, a flight engineer with the 123rd Airlift Wing, Kentucky Air Guard.
Crane said as a flight engineer, "we are the engine-system experts for the aircraft. We keep the checklists organized for quick reference during each flight mission."
"The hands-on interaction is important and allows our guests to become fully immersed in the process," he said.
Bangladesh air force observer and flight engineer, Sgt. Mohammad Moniruzzaman, was able to gain a better understanding of the C-130H systems, equipment and checklists.
"It was interesting, and I enjoyed seeing the different models," Moniruzzaman said. "It was [an] once-in-a-lifetime experience."
The flight was the first training interaction Moniruzzaman has had with the U.S. Air Force and the C-130H aircraft model.
The Bangladesh air force flies a C-130B model, while the U.S. Air Force flies the C-130H and C-130J models. The airframes are similar but use different pressurization, engine and avionics systems.
"The exercise allows us to provide first-hand experiences and demonstrate new capabilities with our [air force] counterparts [here]," Crane said. "The airmen ask a lot of questions and are very knowledgeable about their own aircraft."
Cope South participants also exchanged airlift, air-land and airdrop delivery techniques, and developed and expanded combined airlift capabilities with the Bangladesh air force to promote regional stability through relationship-building and unity of purpose.