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Foreword

RIMPAC 2004:
Demonstrating Shared Resolve for Regional Peace and Security

MALABAR 2004:
Enhancing Peace and Security in the Asia-Pacific Region

Happenings

	Japan Air Self-Defense Force Maj. K. Sato and U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott Stadelman discuss flight procedures. Photo by SSgt. Adrian Cadiz, USAF
	U.S. Air National Guard F-16C fighters prepare to land at Eielson Air Force Base following an exercise event. Photo by SSgt. Matthew Hannen, USAF
	An Indian Air Force IL-76 cargo aircraft flies an exercise mission Photo by SSgt. Ricky A. Bloom, USAF .
	A German aircrew member assists a German Air Force pilot into the cockpit of a GR-4 Tornado fighter at Eielson Air Force Base. Photo by SSgt. Ricky A. Bloom, USAF
	Multinational fighter pilots receive a debriefing following an exercise mission. Photo by SSgt. Matthew Hannen, USAF
	A German Air Force GR-4 Tornado fighter takes off on a training mission. Photo by SSgt. Matthew Hannen, USAF
	Indian Air Force GR-1 Jaguar fighters take off from Eielson Air Force Base on an exercise mission. Photo by SSgt. Matthew Hannen, USAF

Japan-U.S. Bilateral Exercises
COPE THUNDER 2004 marked the second year the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) participated as a bilateral partner with U.S. forces in defensive counter-air tactical training. JASDF also had 21 service members deployed to Eielson Air Force Base as part of an air base defense unit. “We are very happy to be back participating in [COPE THUNDER] again,” said JASDF Capt. So Hashiguchi, an F-15J pilot.

For the last 26 years, JASDF and the U.S. 5th Air Force in Japan have used the COPE NORTH exercises in Japan to hone their combat air skills for potential combat situations in and around Japan. In 2003, the JASDF successfully deployed their F-15s to Alaska for the first time in the history of COPE THUNDER. Col. Masanori Hiramoto, Commander of JASDF forces deployed to COPE THUNDER 2004, said the COPE NORTH exercises helped prepare the JASDF for COPE THUNDER 2004. “I would like to thank members of 5th Air Force for helping in our preparation back in Japan and supporting this deployment,” he said. “The COPE NORTH exercises conducted each year [in Japan] with 5th Air Force units has helped in many ways. It was very helpful for us to run air defense operations with the USAF [U.S. Air Force]. We are very grateful for the outstanding support we have received from 5th Air Force units. Without their vital support, we would not have been able to participate in this COPE THUNDER. COOPERATIVE COPE THUNDER [2004] also gave us a chance to practice our air-to-air refueling operations.”

The crews of three U.S. Air Force KC-135 tankers conducted air-refueling operations with six JASDF F-15J fighter aircraft transiting from Japan to Alaska en route to the exercise. During the journey, each KC-135 refueled two F-15Js.

The entire flight went smoothly from beginning to end, according to U.S. Air Force Capt. Edelmiro Rivera. He noted that JASDF-U.S. Air Force air-refueling exercises in Japan “have fostered understanding between our respective units and their operations.” He added, “We've developed a great relationship with the JASDF in the past years and it continues to grow.”

Honoring the Fallen
Following COPE THUNDER 2004, Canadian, Japanese, and U.S. participants took time to remember their fallen American and Canadian comrades during a ceremony at Elmendorf’s international memorial, Yukla 27. The JASDF's E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) crew spearheaded what has become an annual practice to honor two Canadian and 22 U.S. airmen who lost their lives aboard an E-3 AWACS aircraft, with the call name Yukla 27, in September 1995. The Yukla 27 crew was beginning an early morning launch when several Canada geese flew into the engine, causing engine failure. The pilots were unsuccessful in completing an emergency landing.

During the ceremony, JASDF Col. Hiramoto placed a flower wreath as a display of respect for the Canadian and American crew. “We feel it’s appropriate to honor those airmen who are comrades,” said JASDF Capt. Hashiguchi. “The most important thing is to respect the people who died; it does not matter [if they are] American [or] Canadian — we must respect them always. It is very natural in our country to honor those who have lost their lives in the line of duty; it’s very customary for us,” he said.

Conclusion
Commenting on the success of COPE THUNDER 2004, Canadian Air Force Maj. Pete Lillienthal said, “I have worked at length with coalition forces in many operations worldwide, and understanding a country’s mission and what they are trying to do really helps. A tremendous effort from all the nations was put into understanding what one another was trying to do.”

“ We have got to keep exercising together,” said British Sqn. Ldr. Mike Palmer. “We are close in the way we do business, and we practice it so often. Every time I have been involved, it has taken no time at all to slip into harmony together. We need to keep exercising with our coalition partners, otherwise the cohesiveness won’t be there when we need it,” he said.
The growth in the number of participating countries — from nine in 2000 to 12 in 2004 — highlights the value countries of the region place on the COPE THUNDER exercises. For example, India’s participating combat aircraft were the most the country has ever deployed outside its territory. COOPERATIVE COPE THUNDER 2004 proved once again that by working and training together, Asia-Pacific countries could hone their military skills and achieve interoperability, rendering the region and the world more secure. ?

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