Cooperative Cope Thunder kicks off

  • Published
  • By Capt. Johnny Rea
  • 3rd Wing Public Affairs
ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFPN) --  Pacific Air Force's premier simulated combat-airpower employment exercise kicked off June 5, bringing allied nations to two bases in Alaska for training.

Cooperative Cope Thunder runs through June 20 with operations here and at Eielson Air Force Base.

The exercise showcases multinational airlift operations combined with interdiction, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, and counter-air missions, according to Lt. Col. Dave Ennis, Detachment 1, 353rd Combat Training Squadron commander, here.

"Cooperative Cope Thunder will allow us to sharpen air combat skills, exchange air operations tactics and promote close relations among air forces and nations," said Ennis. "Our goal is to strengthen ties between nations that have not historically worked together, while at the same time, demonstrate our commitment to peace and stability in the Pacific region."

Forces participating in the exercise here are from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, India and NATO, with observers from numerous other countries in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.

Almost 1,700 people are participating in the exercise, including about 1,000 U.S. servicemembers.

About 275 people from Japan's air self-defense force are participating in the exercise, including the first deployment of Japanese F-15Js to North America for an exercise. The Japanese also deployed an E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft, three C-130s and a stinger missile team.

Ennis said the Japanese will participate with U.S. forces in "defensive counter-air" missions as a bilateral partner and will not directly participate together with forces of other nations, which will all be flying "offensive counter-air" missions during the exercise.

The F-15J is the core of Japan's air defense, according to Japanese Col. Moritaka Noguchi, 2nd Air Wing Flight Group commander, and the training he expects to gain will be extremely valuable, he said.

"Our participation in Alaska allows greater opportunities for our units to improve tactical skills and increases our ability to work within our bilateral relationship," said Noguchi. "The chance to operate in an environment with fewer restrictions on airspace or radar usage allows much greater opportunities to improve our tactical capability."

F-15 Eagles from the 19th Fighter Squadron and C-130 Hercules from the 517th Airlift Squadron here are participating in the exercise. Besides the Japanese, deployed here are F-15 Eagles from Tyndall AFB, Fla., an E-3B Sentry from Kadena Air Base, Japan, a C-130 from Thailand and a NATO E-3B Sentry.

Deployed to Eielson AFB are F-16 Fighting Falcons from Misawa AB, Japan, KC-135 Stratotankers from Kadena and various Air National Guard units throughout the United States; F-16s and a KC-135 from Singapore; a C-130 from South Korea, and an IL-76 from India, which has been integrated into the exercise for the first time.