Page 53 - AAPT March 2019

In Brief
Air Force joins US and in humanitarian assistance and disaster The RAAF prepares for
air superiority, close air support, its final year of operating
Japan for Exercise Cope relief and air power missions, including
North interdiction, electronic warfare, tactical the classic Hornet
airlift, aerial refuelling and airborne
Exercise Cope North, a multilateral field command and control. A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18B
training exercise involving the United Aircrew were exposed to large force Classic Hornet returned to its base at
States Air Force (USAF), Japan Air Self- employment on a scale not possible in Willimtown in New South Wales with a
Defense Force (JASDF), and the Royal Australia when they performed counter brand-new paint job.
Australian Air Force (RAAF) was held air, precision strike and offensive air and The distinctive design features
between 18 February to 8 March 2019 surveillance support. black on orange tiger stripes along the
at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. dorsal spine of the No.2 Operational
More than 450 Air Force personnel Conversion Unit (2OCU) aircraft and
and an Air Task Group comprising F/A- on the inside of the vertical fins. The
18A Hornet, E-7A Wedgetail, C-27J outside of the fins features the 2OCU
Spartan, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker/ Tiger head on a black background.
Transport aircraft as well as combat The new paintwork celebrates
support and medical elements were the units final year of Classic Hornet
deployed for the Exercise. operations, primarily training pilots to
The Exercise involved more than fly the F/A-18A-F/A-18B aircraft.
2900 personnel and approximately 100
aircraft, the aim to increase combat
readiness and interoperability between
the USAF, JASDF and RAAF.
Group Captain Nicholas Hogan,
Australian Commander for Exercise
Cope North, said it was an effective way
to strengthen military alliances.
The bilateral exercise is designed
to enhance joint operational capability
alongside military aircraft from the
United States Air Force and Japanese RAAF Aircraft Life Support Fitter, LAC
Air Self-Defence Force. Jasper Coulembier, waits to assist with
The Exercise provided a quality unloading a 35SQN C-27J Spartan at
venue to develop multilateral Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during
interoperability and coalition procedures Exercise Cope North 19.

More than 450 Air Force personnel and an Air Task Group were deployed for Exercise
Cope North. Photo SGT Kirk Peacock.

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