4 US soldiers promoted high up on Nanda Devi during India-US military exercise

Tags: Defence International News

For the first time, four US Army officers from the 11th Airborne Division have been promoted to India's second highest Himalayan peak Nanda Devi during the 18th edition of Indo-US joint military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' in Uttarakhand.

Important facts

• Capt. Cerruti, Lt. Russell, Lt. Brown and Lt. Hack became the first four USArmy Officers to be promoted in the Himalayas during Yudh Abhyas Exercise. 

• US soldiers from the 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the Assam Regiment are participating in a two-week joint military exercise.

• Yudh Abhyas is conducted annually between India and the US with the aim of exchanging best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures between the armies of the two nations.

• The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and share expertise in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations between the two armies.

• The joint exercise will also focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. 

Nanda Devi Peak

• Nanda Devi is the second-highest mountain in India, after Kangchenjunga, and located entirely within India (Kangchenjunga is on the border of India and Nepal). It is in the state of Uttarakhand (Chamoli district).

• It is the 23rd-highest peak in the world.

• The Nanda Devi Peak is a part of the Garhwal Himalayas.