SUBANG KUALA LUMPUR AIRPORT, Malaysia -- Approximately 500 service members from the U.S. Air Force 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base (AB), Japan, and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) joined forces at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, for Exercise Cope Taufan 18 (CT18), July 16-20, 2018.

Cope Taufan 18, a Pacific Air Forces bilateral tactical airlift exercise, includes U.S Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft and RMAF aircraft. The biennial exercise provides an excellent opportunity to improve combined readiness and interoperability between the U.S. and Malaysia.

"We are very excited to be here to participate in exercise Cope Taufan," said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Barry King II, exercise director. "I know that we will learn quite a bit from the RMAF while we're here, and we hope that we will all enjoy this exercise and take the opportunity to make each other better."

The exercise allows for an exchange of techniques and procedures to enhance cooperation between U.S. and Malaysian service members. It also provides a quality training venue for U.S. and Malaysian aircrew and maintenance personnel.

"I would like to welcome [the U.S.] to Subang Air Base, your presence here indicates a strong … partnership between our two countries," said RMAF Lt. Col. Syed Faisal, exercise director. "I sincerely hope that the forces on both sides will take this opportunity to learn from each other, as I am confident you will find that the exercise aids in the training needs for both countries."

Pacific Air Forces has conducted exercises with the RMAF since the early 1980s. By participating in exercises with military forces from partner nations in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States demonstrates its commitment to peace and stability in the region.