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Cope North continues

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Exercise Cope North 10-1 wrapped up it's fourth flying day today as part of a joint training exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.  The aircraft participating in Cope North, to include JASDF F-2s and E-2s, USAF B-52s and F-16 aggressors, and U.S. Navy EA-6Bs launched 35 sorties today. 

This year marks the 81st interation of Cope North. The first was held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1, 1978 at Misawa Air Base in Northern Japan. The last Cope North was held from Feb. 2-13, 2009.

This year's U.S. participants include the 18th Aggressor Squadron from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, deployed here from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., and VAQ-136, Carrier Wing Five, Atsugi, Japan (U.S. Navy).

The Japanese units are the 6th Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base, Japan and the 601st Squadron, Misawa Air Base, Japan.

There are approximately 400 U.S. servicemen and women and 240 JASDF personnel deployed to Andersen in support of this year's exercise.