A JASDF E2C Hawkeye flown from Misawa Air Base, Japan, lands after an exercise mission over the Guam area.

Both air forces, operating from the U.S. Air Force’s Andersen Air Force Base on Guam, benefited from better weather and a larger and less restricted airspace than is available in Japan. The exercise normally begins with air combat training and ends with a large force employment operation, which involves attacking air, land, and sea targets.

The teamwork between all elements of the JASDF and USAF aircrews assured the success of this first Japan -U.S. COPE NORTH exercise in Guam.

Teamwork extended to every aspect of COPE NORTH. USAF A1C Elizabeth Marsh and JASDF MSgt. Hitoshi Narumi inspect the exercise pilots’ helmets.