U.S., Allies Meet on Guam for Annual Cope North Exercise

Air Force Capt. Sean “Wreck” Collins, a pilot in the 13th Fighter Squadron park an F-16 Fighting Falcon on Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam on February 4, 2023. (Jao’Torey Johnson/U.S. Air Force

Thousands of airmen and about 100 aircraft from the United States, Australia, Japan and France have kicked off a 15-day exercise on Guam, according to the Air Force’s 36th Wing.

Cope North 2023 involved 2,000 military personnel from four nations. It began Friday and will last until February 24, Tech. Sgt. Eric Summers, a spokesperson from Andersen Air Force Base, stated by phone Friday.

“Aircraft from the United States, Australia, Japan, and France will fly 1,200 sorties across seven islands and 10 airfields,” In a Jan. 27 Statement, Pacific Air Forces stated.

The 36th Wing didn’t immediately provide a list of the aircraft types or units participating in the exercise Friday afternoon.

The Department of Defense released photos this month showing the following aircraft at Guam during training: Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons, 13th Fighter Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Mitsubishi F-15J Eagles.

Cope North is taking place amid rapid Chinese military buildup, and concerns about Taiwan’s security. Beijing views the autonomous island, which is democratic and self-governing, as a breakaway province, and demands that it be reunified, using force if necessary.

Cope North is a Guam-based organization that has been in place since 1999. It focuses on coordinating large aircraft and humanitarian aid.

According to the statement, the training teaches skills like airlift and logistics, which are required to transport aircraft, support personnel, and equipment to remote areas. This allows them to operate far away from their comfortable homes.

Operation will be at Andersen, Antonio B. According to the statement, Won Pat International Airport, Guam, and Northwest Field, Guam will be used.

According to the statement, the training’s goal is to strengthen security, bring allies closer and keep the Indo-Pacific free and open.

According to Ralph Cossa of the Pacific Forum thinktank in Hawaii (president-emeritus), the training could be considered preparation for the defenses main-island Japan and Okinawa.

He wrote that the U.S. and Japan do not have the same fully integrated command structure as Washington with Seoul in an email Friday.

“We need to develop, test, and refine our command and control procedures bilaterally with Japan and … multi-laterally with like-minded friends and allies,” He stated.