The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is, for the first time, participating in a joint tri-lateral air defence exercise with the US Air Force (USAF) and the Japanese Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.
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The drill, codenamed Exercise Cope North 2012, commenced on 11 February and runs through to the 24th, focusing on improving coordination between the three air forces in a number of different scenarios.
Commander of the Australian contingent for the exercise, group captain Geoffrey Harland, said: "Exercise Cope North will allow the aircrew to develop an appreciation of the capabilities and strengths of the different aircraft types which is valuable training for air combat and Surveillance and Response Group personnel who may be required to operate in a coalition environment in the future."
The RAAF has deployed its newest capabilities, including six F/A-18F Super Hornets, Wedgetail airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft and a C-130 Hercules aircraft along with 300 personnel for the exercise.
More than 1,000 military personnel from around the world are scheduled to take part in the exercise alongside the USAF’s F-16s, B-52s, F-15Cs, F-16CJs and KC-135 and the JASDF’s F-15Js, F2s and E2C aircraft.
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By GlobalDataCope North lead planner, USAF major Greven, said: "Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises, dissimilar air combat training, and strike mission training will be conducted during the first week of the exercise. Large force employment training will be the focus of the second week."
Greven added: "Additionally, JASDF and USAF will conduct live surface attack tactics training on the Farrallon de Medinilla range in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands."
The exercise is the second overseas deployment for both the Super Hornet and Wedgetail since their delivery to the Air Force.
Image: RAAF deploys Wedgetail AEW&C aircraft for the tri-lateral air defence exercise Cope North 2012 with USAF and JASDF.
