NEW DELHI: Showcasing synergy among different wings of the armed forces, the Army’s combat engineering arm in collaboration with the Air Force has deployed a pontoon assault bridge using the Chinook heavy-lift helicopter during a joint exercise along the western sector.The Army’s Western Command on X said Kharga Sappers and IAF “successfully validated rapid air movement and deployment of an assault bridge during a joint exercise, showcasing joint planning, seamless coordination, enhanced battlefield mobility, and operational synergy, reinforcing joint war-fighting capability”.This joint exercise demonstrates improved operational cohesiveness and “jointness” between IAF and Army. The deployment enhances capability to swiftly cross rivers and canals in the terrain where the Western Command operates. The bridge operation enhances the Army’s capability to cross water bodies using heavy-duty bridges crucial for offensive operations.The Chinook helicopter was used for deployment, showcasing its versatility in military operations. US-acquired Chinook is capable of transporting up to 11 tonnes of cargo or 45 troops, specialising in high-altitude operations in the Himalayas. Its primary lifting capabilities include ferrying heavy artillery (like M777 ultra-light howitzers) and underslung loads of up to 10 tonnes.The pontoon assault bridge, which consists of various segments, is a crucial piece of equipment for rapid and heavy-duty river crossing operations.Besides operational use, this capability is useful during natural disasters, enabling the rapid installation of temporary pontoon bridges to improve access for the Army and other relief agencies in affected areas.