October 28, 2013: The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) have just completed Exercise Eastern Bridge (Al Jisr Al Sharqi) 2013, the third in their series of joint air exercises centred around strike profiles. The exercise was conducted at the RAFO's base in Masirah, Oman.

The IAF fielded about 150 personnel and six Jaguar deep penetration strike aircraft from 6 Squadron (currently based at Jamnagar in the anti-shipping role), along with an Il-76 heavy transport and an Il-78M flight refuelling aircraft. The RAFO fielded its Jaguars, F-16s and Hawks. India and Oman happen to be the only two countries in the world that still operate the SEPECAT Jaguar, and have therefore decided to cooperate deeply to exploit combat routines and tactics. The two countries also cooperate in inventory management on the aircraft's spares. Earlier iterations of the exercise were held at Thumrait and Jamnagar. Oman happens to be the only country in the Gulf Cooperation Council with which India has a close military relationship involving high level exchanges and exercises.