PACAF prepares for Cope North

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nestor Cruz
  • 36th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) --  Units from the U.S. Air Force and the Japan Air Self Defense Force will take part in the annual Cope North exercise here July 11 to 21.

Cope North is a bilateral exercise designed to enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations. It gives pilots from both countries opportunities to conduct training in air combat tactics, electronic combat and airborne air control.

Scenarios will put pilots against each other in mock combat and test their air combat skills.

"The 391st Expeditionary Fighter Squadron is looking forward to the opportunity to fly and fight with the (Japanese pilots)," said Lt. Col. Brian Kirkwood, 391st EFS commander. "Bilateral exercises within Pacific Command's area of responsibility provide participating nations great opportunities and helps raise our awareness of the Pacific region."

Since the first Cope North exercise in 1978, the purpose of the exercise remains the same, which is to conduct a bilateral field training exercise to increase combat readiness and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese Airmen, said Capt. Chad Shenk of the 391st EFS. Cope North is one of the longest-running exercise series in the Pacific theater.

"The focus is still on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures between U.S. (and Japanese) forces," he said.

Participating Japanese aircraft include 10 F-4 EJ Kais and two E-2Cs from Misawa Air Base, Japan. Twelve U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles deployed here from Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, will also participate. (Courtesy of PACAF News Service)