A U.S. Air Force aircrew member from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron steps from a crew brief prior to a mission in support of Exercise Cope North at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 9, 2010. The 20th EBS is deployed from Barksdale AFB, La. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Jacob Wilwert, a B-52 Stratofortress pilot assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., conducts preflight checks on a B-52 aircraft prior to a mission in support of Exercise Cope North at Andersen AFB, Guam, Feb. 9, 2010. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Phillip Hopwood, a crew chief assigned to the 36th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, prepares a B-52 for a mission in support of Exercise Cope North, Feb. 9, 2010. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jim Lewis, a B-52 Stratofortress navigator assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., climbs aboard a B-52 aircraft prior to a mission in support of Exercise Cope North at Andersen AFB, Guam, Feb. 9, 2010. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Jacob Wilwert, a B-52 Stratofortress pilot assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., conducts a preflight checklist aboard a B-52 aircraft before a mission in support of Exercise Cope North at Andersen AFB, Guam, Feb. 9, 2010. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Roderick Wilson, center, and Senior Airman Crispin Hasley, guidance and control systems specialists assigned to the 36th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, review flight information aboard a B-52 Stratofortress prior to a mission in support of Exercise Cope North, Feb. 9, 2010. The B-52 aircraft is assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Crispin Hasley, a guidance and control systems specialist assigned to the 36th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, reviews flight information aboard a B-52 Stratofortress prior to a mission in support of Exercise Cope North, Feb. 9, 2010. The B-52 aircraft is assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Kerry Baker, a B-52 Stratofortress navigator assigned to the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepares to step aboard a B-52 aircraft before a mission in support of Exercise Cope North at Andersen AFB, Guam, Feb. 9, 2010. The United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force conduct Cope North annually to increase combat readiness and interoperability, concentrating on coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures. The ability for both nations to work together increases their preparedness to support real-world contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jacob N. Bailey)

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Aircraft arrive for Cope North 10-1 kickoff

Published Feb. 8, 2010
By Senior Airman Shane Dunaway
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Twenty-one aircraft from more than a half-dozen military units throughout the Pacific region arrived here for Cope North 10-1, a two-week annual bi-lateral exercise between U.S. forces and the Japan Air Self Defense Force that began Feb. 7.

This is the 11th time Cope North has been held here. The U.S. and Japan have been conducting Cope North exercises since 1978.

The near two-dozen strong aerial ensemble will be working with two B-52 Stratorfortresses, currently deployed here supporting the Continuous Bomber presence mission.

"Conducting joint bi-lateral flying operations allows us to practice all facets of mission planning and execution," said Maj. Marcelo Morales, a member of the Cope North 10-1 staff. "We are able to train to each service's strength and to discover and overcome any shortfalls. Our maintainers, operators, and support personnel are able to interact face-to-face so that we can enhance our interoperability and learn from our bi-lateral partners."

Cope North is designed to strengthen military relationships between the two countries as well as enhance U.S. and Japanese air operations in defense of Japan.

"Exercises such as Cope North demonstrate our firm resolve to the U.S. - Japan alliance and send an unequivocal message that both nations are committed to continued peace and stability in the region," Maj. Morales said.

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