An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Spotlight
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
Press Releases and Readouts
2024 Banner Photos
Media
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
FAQ
Useful Links
Newcomers
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
Home
Media
NEWS
News Article View
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
MEDIA
NEWS
Spotlight
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
Press Releases and Readouts
2024 Banner Photos
RESOURCES
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
FAQ
Useful Links
Newcomers
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF - RED HILL
JTF-MICRONESIA
US, Japan, Australian Forces Kick Off COPE NORTH 2020
13 February 2020
From Staff Sgt. Greg Nash
Download
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- More than 100 aircraft will soar over the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia as U.S. forces, Koku Jieitai (Japan Air Self-Defense Force or JASDF) and the Royal Australian Air Force collaborates during exercise COPE NORTH, Feb. 12-28.
Approximately 2,000 military personnel will hone their skills to increase combat readiness and interoperability during the annual trilateral field training exercise. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises and strike mission training will be conducted during the first week, while air combat tactics and a large-force employment training takes place the second week.
“This exercise is a model opportunity for our countries to participate in world-class training and expand engagements to strengthen our interoperability,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Scott Rowe, COPE NORTH exercise director. “It validates new ways to deploy and maneuver people and assets, which ultimately enhances our capacity and capability to foster a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Teams will face various challenges during the 17-day event by focusing on integrating and refining best practices for coordinating combined air tactics, techniques and procedures.
Part of the HADR training scenario is a medical evacuation from Rota to Guam featuring aeromedical evacuation doctors and crews. All three nations will work together during the crisis response scenario to provide airborne command and control, combat jumps, joint terminal attack controllers, and bilateral training with the military working dogs and security forces.
“Training programs such as exercise COPE NORTH provides invaluable opportunities to test operational air and ground crews to the highest level,” said RAAF Group Captain Mark Larter, Multinational Task Force commander. “For the first time, U.S. Pacific Air Forces has invited the Royal Australian Air Force to lead the HADR mission to demonstrate combat readiness, humanitarian assistance procedures and interoperability between the forces of the United States, Australia and Japan.”
COPE NORTH — originally a quarterly exercise between the U.S. and Japanese air forces in Misawa, Japan — was moved to Guam in 1999. RAAF joined in 2011 to strengthen the trilateral relationships and further integrate HADR operations and a large-force employment exercise. The now-annual exercise is designed to promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Pacific and continues to evolve throughout the years.
“I had participated in COPE NORTH as a young pilot about 17 years ago,” said Koku Jieitai Col. Katushi “Kitty” Hashimoto. “I am pleasantly surprised to see how much this exercise has evolved over time. It literally shows the evolution of our already strong relationship among U.S., Australia and Japan.”
This year marks the first time the Japan Maritime Defense Force is bringing a US-2 ShinMaywa amphibious aircraft to incorporate personnel recover missions.
“I am very confident this exercise will further enhance our combat capability and strengthen our alliance more than ever before,” Hashimoto said.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
"Just sitting side by side, eating together, sharing good meals together, that m...
Working with our network of allies and partners ensures a #FreeandOpenIndoPacifi...
Adm. Phil Davidson at the Halifax International Security Forum in Nova Scotia. #...
Join us LIVE at the Halifax International Security Forum this Saturday! Adm. Dav...
"We must work together, across academia, industry, the government, and the milit...
"USINDOPACOM’s cyber strategy emphasizes backing the region’s joint and combined...
"To all our veterans who've worn the cloth of our nation, thank you for answerin...
"It's important that the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Australia & other friends & a...
United States Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein spent his early ...
It’s Happening. Tiger TRIUMPH, the first ever tri-service exercise between the ...
Happy Veteran's Day to our past, present and future #Veterans. #FreeandOpenIndoP...
Stronger together for a #FreeandOpenIndoPacific
“Our veterans past, and the servicemen and women of today, have helped to preser...
Commander @INDOPACOM Adm. Phil Davidson, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chi...
Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander U.S.Indo-Pacific Command, meets with Tarō Kōno, Ja...
Gen. David L. Goldfein has a short message to our adversaries: We're here, and...
ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM
IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
New Korea Rotational Force announced
Feb. 15, 2025 - The U.S. Army last month announced that the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, will replace 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, as part of a regular rotation of forces to support the...
USS Howard Conducts Port Visit in Otaru, Japan
Feb. 14, 2025 - OTARU, Japan (Feb. 11, 2025) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) concluded a port visit in Otaru, Japan, Feb 11...
3rd MLG to Support Multiple US/ROK Military Exercises
Feb. 14, 2025 - Hundreds of U.S. and Republic of Korea Marines are set to launch a nearly two-month series of bilateral training exercises across the South Korean Peninsula from February to April 2025...
USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Honolulu Defense Forum
Feb. 14, 2025 - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivered the keynote address at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Waikiki, Hawaii, Feb. 13, 2025...
Breaking the Ice, Breaking up Ground: III MSB Marines conduct joint training event with Army 11th Engineer Battalion Soldiers
Feb. 14, 2025 - Early on the morning of February 6, 2025, the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group joined Soldiers from 63rd Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division...
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon