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U.S., Japanese and Australian service members took part in Cope North, an annual multilateral air operations exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise is designed to enhance multilateral air operations among the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps; the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Air Force so that they can work together in dynamic environments to ensure a safe and secure Indo-Pacific region.

Man supervises troops setting up a tent
Australian Airman
An Australian airman gives a “thumbs-up” as U.S. Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force airmen build tents during exercise Cope North 19 in Tinian, Northern Marianas Islands, Feb. 26, 2019. The exercise focused on combat air forces large-force employment and mobility air forces humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training to enhance interoperability among U.S., Australian and Japanese forces.
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. JT May III
VIRIN: 190226-D-ZM606-003C

More than 2,000 U.S. airmen, Marines and sailors trained alongside about 850 combined Japanese and Australian service members. Additionally, nearly 100 U.S., Japanese and Australian aircraft from 21 flying units took part in the exercise.

The exercise began with a weeklong humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training event simulating the need for a large-force employment. The exercise's focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief provides critical training to U.S. and allied forces that has a direct impact on the ability to support the region, including Palau and Micronesia.

Marine escorts jet on flight line
Cool Fighter
U.S. Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 move an F-18D Hornet onto the flight line in preparation to start fighter operations during exercise Cope North 2019 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 25, 2019. The exercise is designed to enhance multilateral air operations amongst allies and included humanitarian assistance and disaster relief airlift operations as well as large-force employment. Photo Air Force Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
VIRIN: 190225-D-LG053-207C
Line of troops load into cargo plane
Troop Trek
U.S. airmen board a Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130H Hercules in preparation to resume the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief portion of exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 25, 2019. The exercise focused on large-force employment and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training to enhance interoperability among U.S., Australian and Japanese forces.
Photo By: Air Force Senior Airman Xavier Navarro
VIRIN: 190225-D-LG053-0638C
Airman with weapon and a C-130
Security Forces
An airman assigned to the 736th Security Forces provides security for service members exiting a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules to set up a base of operations during exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, March 6, 2019.
Photo By: Air Force Master Sgt. JT May III
VIRIN: 190306-D-ZM606-361C

Video by Marine Corps Sgt. Jacob Colvin

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