Exercise COPE TIGER 2004, an annual trilateral exercise between Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, is the largest joint, combined air exercise in the Asia-Pacific region. Here, at the opening ceremony, are (L to R) Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wattana; Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Maj.-Gen. Lim Kim Choon; and Commander, 13th Air Force, U.S. Air Force (USAF), Maj. Gen. Dennis R. Larsen. Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defense.

Royal Thai Army members conduct morning flag raising ceremonies on Korat RTAFB. Photo by TSgt. Jonathan F. Doti, USAF

“Exercise COPE TIGER 2004, an annual trilateral exercise between Singapore, Thailand, and the United States, is the largest joint, combined air exercise in the Asia-Pacific region. Originally, the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) conducted separate bilateral exercises with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the U.S. Air Force (USAF). Exercise COPE TIGER merged into a trilateral exercise a decade ago and now includes U.S. Marine Corps aviation.

The scope and complexity of COPE TIGER has increased significantly over the past 10 years, as more personnel and aircraft participate. The exercise enhances professionalism and interoperability and fosters closer relations and rapport between the three countries’ air forces. The exercise took place 15-17 December 2003 and 16-27 February 2004.

Officiating at the opening ceremony in Singapore were RSAF Chief of Air Force Maj.-Gen. Lim Kim Choon, RTAF Commander-in-Chief ACM Kongsak Vantana, and USAF Maj. Gen. Dennis Larsen, Commander, 13th Air Force.

RTAF personnel and Thai greeters welcome USAF pilots to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand. Photo Courtesy of the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defense.

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Capt. Johnny Rea, USAF, was assigned to COPE TIGER Public Affairs during the exercise. SSgt. Brenda L. Varnadore, USMC, is assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Air Station, Iwakuni, Japan.