Why in news?

The 13th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” commenced at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh on August 8.

Highlights:

• The Vajra Prahar series of joint exercise aims to share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics and also to improve inter-operability between the Special Forces of both the Nations
• In addition to this exercise, the India-U.S. Army exercise ‘Yudh Abhyas’ is scheduled to be held in high altitude area in Uttarakhand which falls in the Central sector of the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• The U.S. contingent is represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) and Special Tactics Squadron (STS) of the U.S. Special Forces and the Indian Army contingent is formed by drawing Special Forces personnel under the aegis of SFTS.

• The annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the U.S. with the 12th edition held at Joint Base Lewis Mcchord, Washington (U.S.A.) in October 2021.