News>U.S., Maylasia air forces conclude exercise Cope Taufan 2012
Photos
Lee McClenny talks with Airmen from the 67th Fighter Squadron and 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit April 13, 2012, following the closing ceremony of Cope Taufan 2012 at TUDM Butterworth, Malaysia. Cope Taufan is a live-flying exercise designed around dissimilar basic fighter maneuvers and dissimilar air combat tactics training between the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force. McClenny is the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Matt Summers)
Capt. Brent Knudson (left), looks on as members of the Malaysian army provide free dental service to an orphan April 13, 2012, at an orphanage in Kulim, Malaysia. The day included not only free medical care, but a dedication ceremony for a multi-use sports court built by Royal Malaysian Air Force and U.S. Air Force airmen during Cope Taufan 2012. Knudson is a 67th Fighter Squadron flight surgeon. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Matt Summers)
Col. Patrick Malackowski (center) and Royal Malaysian Air Force Brig. Gen. Abdul Mutalib Ab Wahab greet orphans April 13, 2012, at an orphanage in Kulim, Malaysia. RMAF and U.S. airmen built a multi-use sports court at the orphanage during Cope Taufan 2012. Malackowski is the vice commander of 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Matt Summers)
by Master Sgt. Matt Summers
Cope Taufan 2012 Public Affairs
4/17/2012 - TUDM BUTTERWORTH, Malaysia (AFNS) -- After completing more than 140 sorties and several hundred flying hours, the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force concluded exercise Cope Taufan 2012 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force base here, April 13.
The Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, live-flying exercise, that included F-15 Eagles from the 67th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and four different airframes from the RMAF, allowed U.S. and Royal Malaysian air force pilots to hone their skills in dissimilar basic fighter maneuvers, combat search and rescue, and dissimilar air combat tactics for the first time.
"(Cope Taufan is) an important (military to military) engagement that binds our two countries together," said Lee McClenny, the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, who made his first visit here since assuming his current position in August 2011. "Your extreme hospitality and friendship furthers our long-term relationship and enhances our ability to work together," he said during the closing ceremony.
Royal Malaysian Col. Suri bin Daud, the Cope Taufan 2012 exercise director, said the RMAF hopes to increase the scale of activities and training for future exercises.
"All the planning of activities are a means to an end," he said. "That end is the mutual understanding between our countries and our air forces. How we focus on our missions and how we support each other strengthens our mutual bonds."
Hours before the closing ceremony, RMAF and USAF members traveled back to an orphanage in Kulim where one week earlier the combined team mixed and poured concrete for a multi-use sports court, which will be used for volleyball, badminton or a taditional Malaysian game, sepak takraw, and other sports.
The orphanage, in northwestern Malaysia, currently houses 50 children ranging in age from 10 to 17 years old. The children are all orphans of former Malaysian armed forces members.
U.S. Air Force Airmen representing the 67th FS and 67th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, who were honored guests at a dedication ceremony for the new court, also got a chance to give gifts to the children, including two water cooling systems, various sports equipment and toys.
"We had such a fun time while you were here," Nurhafiza Husna Binti Halim, a resident of the orphanage, said during the ceremony. "All of your kindness will be treasured close to our hearts."
