U.S., Australian, Japanese, air forces unite for annual Guam exercise

  • Published
  • Pacific Air Forces
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  

U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Royal Australian Air Force servicemembers will conduct two media flights and host a media day at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 10 to 26 as part of Cope North 2016.

The 87th annual CN 16 exercise is a long-standing multilateral engagement designed to enhance air operations and interoperability between participating militaries.

The first media flight is scheduled to fly from Guam to Rota and back, covering the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training portions of the exercise Feb. 16. Participating media will be on the ground in Rota for about one hour to capture the Healthcare Response Team in action. Registered media should meet at the Andersen AFB visitor center at 7:30 a.m.

There is a second media flight scheduled Feb. 19 in which media members will get the opportunity to ride on a KC-135 Stratotanker and witness in-air refueling first-hand. Registered media should meet at the Andersen AFB visitor center at 7:30 a.m.

Media are also invited to attend the media day Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The media day will begin with a press conference featuring leaders from the USAF, JASDF and RAAF. Also included will be a tour of the flight line, where media will be able to see the JASDF’s F-15J Eagle, the RAAF’s F/A-18E/F Hornet, the USAF’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, and the USAF’s E-3 Sentry up close. Aircrews will be available to speak to each aircraft’s capabilities. Media will also have the opportunity to capture any takeoffs and landings during that time. Registered media should meet at the Andersen AFB visitor center at 9:20 a.m.

Andersen AFB Public Affairs will send out a separate release detailing how media can participate in their open house Feb. 20.
Media interested in attending any of the above events should send their registration requests via email to christen.ornella@us.af.mil and pacaf.pax@us.af.mil by Feb. 4.

For more information, please contact 1st Lt. Christen Ornella via email or at 808-448-3229.