Members of the 36th Civil Engineer Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal work with the Japan Air Self Defense Forces Explosive Ordnance Disposal members during a munitions disposal operation as part of exercise Cope North 2012 on Feb. 10, 2012, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Exercise CN 12 kicked off Feb. 11, bringing more than 1,000 military members to the island of Guam. The three-week exercise, featuring U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force assets and service members, demonstrates the three nations’ commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sergeant Alex Montes)
Master Sgt. Josh Gallahan, of the 36th Mobility Response Squadron, secures a tent line Feb 13, 2012, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The MRS is part of the 36th Contingency Response Group, which will be exercising with the Royal Australian Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defense Forces counterparts as part of the exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie)
A C-130 Hercules, from the 374th Airlift Wing, lands at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of Cope North 2012 on Feb. 13, 2012. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Carlin Leslie
An F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, takes off during the Cope North 2012 exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2012. The U.S. Air Force, the Japan Air Self Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force began the exercise here Feb. 11. The exercise, which will run through Feb. 24, is the latest in a series of multinational exercises designed to enhance each country's air operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Jeffrey Schultze)
by Senior Airman Veronica McMahon
36th Wing Public Affairs
2/14/2012 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) -- Joint operations kicked off between the U.S. Air Force, the Japan Air Self Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force as the first day of exercise Cope North 2012 began here Feb. 13.
Whether it was the JASDF's F-2s flying alongside the RAAF's F-18s, or RAAF troops joining 36th Contingency Response Group Airmen in building a tent city, the three services worked together to ensure a successful start to the next two weeks.
Throughout the exercise, participating forces will demonstrate their ability to effectively deploy and train together. Participants will also have the opportunity to improve their ability to employ both tactical air power in the skies, and humanitarian and disaster relief efforts on the ground.
During the aerial portion, F-2s, F-15s, F-16s, F-18s and B-52s were among the first aircraft to take to the skies during morning operations on day one of training.
While sorties multiplied in the skies, troops on the ground began training for humanitarian and disaster relief efforts at Andersen's Northwest Field. The RAAF worked with Andersen Airmen to conduct a heavy equipment drop and also combined forces to set up a tent city, where they will spend five days simulating possible conditions during real-world relief efforts.
The day's events culminated in a field training exercise. The field training portion focused on coordination and evaluation between RAAF and U.S. Air Force personnel. Throughout the simulation, different roles are played out, such as security, emergency response, medical and evaluation.
"The reason why we are here is because we all need each other," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Mull, the 36th CRG deputy commander. "The camaraderie we have developed with the Australians is awesome."
The exercise has also provided an opportunity to cultivate common bonds and foster goodwill between the multinational partners.
"We are part of the group providing security for the Cope North exercise with our Australian counterparts," said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Clint Seal, of the 736th Security Forces Squadron. "It's pretty neat to work with a foreign military. Because we work in the same theater, we might cross each other's path again."
The U.S. military is always seeking opportunities to strengthen its relationship with other nations through activities such as subject matter expert exchanges, host nation visits, trilateral engagements, exercises and operations such as those experienced during Cope North, officials said.
"It's good to work together and see what each nation brings to the actual mission, especially in this area where humanitarian assistance and disaster relief is very important," said RAAF Wing Commander Lee de Winton, the 381st Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron commanding officer.
"It's been great to meet our sister squadron," de Winton continued. "All of this is built on relationships that will endure throughout what we do in this region."
