Cope Tiger 25 takes off in Thailand

24 March 2025

From Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla, Pacific Air Forces

THAILAND — Cope Tiger 25 officially launched the first aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force, marking the start of flying operations for the exercise, Mar. 17, 2025.

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Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force fly in formation during Cope Tiger 25 in Thailand, Mar. 18, 2025. The flight formation served as a symbol of airpower, cooperation and friendship among the three nations. (Courtesy Photo)

SLIDESHOW | images | Cope Tiger 25 takes off in Thailand KORAT ROYAL AIR BASE, Thailand (March 18, 2025) — Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force, the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force fly in formation during Cope Tiger 25 in Thailand, Mar. 18, 2025. The flight formation served as a symbol of airpower, cooperation and friendship among the three nations. (Courtesy Photo)

a mechanic leans into an open fighter jet cockpit while standing on a ladder

SLIDESHOW | images | Cope Tiger 25 takes off in Thailand U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron conduct maintenance on an F-16 Fighting Falcon during exercise Cope Tiger 25 at Korat Royal Air Base, Thailand, Mar. 17, 2025. Exercises like CT25 enhance capability and interoperability, while strengthening trust between like-minded nations to ensure the air, maritime, cyber, and space domains remain open to all nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Roberts, an F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron, reviews aircraft maintenance records during exercise Cope Tiger 25 at Korat Royal Air Base, Thailand, Mar. 17, 2025.

SLIDESHOW | images | 250317-F-AK347-4009 U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joshua Roberts, an F-16 Fighting Falcon crew chief assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron, reviews aircraft maintenance records during exercise Cope Tiger 25 at Korat Royal Air Base, Thailand, Mar. 17, 2025. The 77th EFGS and the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron are participating in CT25, which aims to enhance readiness and combined multinational joint interoperability between the U.S., Thai and Singapore Air Forces while concurrently aiming to enhance the strong defense relations among the three countries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla)

CT25 is now in its 31st year and serves as a symbol of the three nations’ enduring partnership and commitment in the region.

Airmen and aircraft from the 77th Fighter Squadron based out of Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, are the lead for the U.S. Air Force. This is the unit’s first time participating in exercise Cope Tiger.

“We’re very excited to be here to work with the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Steven McCord, 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron detachment commander. “We’re here to learn more about each other, learn from each other and build our relationships on the ground and in the air. That’s really what Cope Tiger is all about.”

The exercise is scheduled to conclude with a closing ceremony on March 28.