Japanese maintenance crew of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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T/Sgt. Kenioki Sakamoto, 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB Japan, works on Japanese F2 displaying the Kabuki Face, during weapons upload for Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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T/Sgt. Kenioki Sakamoto of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese crew members of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese crew members of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew members of the 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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T/Sgt. Kenioki Sakamoto, 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB Japan, works on Japanese F2, during weapons upload for Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew members T/Sgt Kenioki Sakamoto(left) and T/Sgt Hiroshi Saito, 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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Japanese maintenance crew members T/Sgt Kenioki Sakamoto(left) and T/Sgt Hiroshi Saito, 8th Combat Wing, 6th TF Squadron, Tsuiki AB, Japan, prepare their F2 for ammunitions during Cope North on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on 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. (USAF photo by Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin)

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COPE NORTH on target

Published Feb. 10, 2010
By Staff Reports
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Exercise COPE NORTH 10-1, a bilateral field training exercise between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force, launched full force with 59 sorties flown over the first two days of the exercise.

COPE NORTH is conducted twice annually, with 10-1 being sponsored by Pacific Air Forces at Andersen. This marks only the fourth time live bombs have been dropped at the Farralon de Medinilla Range in the northern Marianas Islands during the exercise.

COPE NORTH provides a venue for cooperation between U.S. and Japanese forces and to improve capabilities for the defense of Japan. The primary focus is readiness and coordination and evaluation of air tactics, techniques and procedures between U.S. forces and the JASDF.

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