JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Units from the U.S. Air Force and the Indonesian air force will participate in the Cope West 2018 Field Training Exercise in Indonesia March 12-23, 2018.

This bilateral exercise is designed to advance interoperability and build on the partnership that exists between U.S. military forces and the Indonesian air force. It also allows for the exchange of techniques related to air-to-air training and promotes regional stability through cooperation.

Cope West 18 involves fighter aircraft from the U.S. and Indonesian air forces and will mark the second time that U.S. fighter training has taken place in Indonesia in two decades.

Exercise Cope West enhances combined readiness and interoperability and reinforces the U.S. commitment to the Pacific.

Approximately 110 U.S. personnel will participate in the exercise with approximately 150 service members from the Indonesian air force. The exercise will involve approximately 12 aircraft including U.S. Air Force F-16C/D aircraft and F-16 aircraft from the Indonesian air force.