909th ARS and 134th EFS soar in Cope North 25

Photo By Cpl. Chloe Johnson | Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and U.S. 4th and 5th generation aircraft fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean during exercise Cope North 25, Feb. 7, 2025. The aircraft in the photo are, from left to right: a U.S. Navy E/A-18 Growler, U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet, U.S. Air Force F-16CM, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II, JASDF F-35A Lightning II, U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, and JASDF KC-747. Japanese, Australian, and U.S. air forces trained together during CN25 to streamline combined tactics and, if needed, win in an armed conflict. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Chloe Johnson)  

KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JAPAN

02.26.2025

Story by 1st Lt. Mary Turpin 

18th Wing

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan – Airmen from the 909th Aerial Refueling Squadron participated in exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen AFB, Guam, from Feb. 3-21, 2025.

For over four decades, Cope North has served as a cornerstone of U.S. military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This trilateral exercise brings together American, Japanese, and Australian forces for realistic combat training, strengthening their ability to seamlessly operate together.

This year's exercise focused on enhancing teamwork capabilities and tactical skills in a complex and dynamic Indo-Pacific region. Participating assets included the F-35A/B Lighting II; F-16 Fighting Falcon; F-18C/D Hornet; EA-18G Growler; KC-46 Pegasus; Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker; KC-130J Hercules; Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules; E-3G Sentry; MH-60S Seahawk; and the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node.

“Exercises like Cope North provide invaluable training for our Airmen,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Travis Epp, 909th ARS commander. “The significantly larger airspace around Guam permits larger exercises than our local airspace.”

Epp continued to say this higher-level training allowed the 909th ARS to integrate with allies and partners in ways that they could not at their home -station, better preparing the joint and allied force for future challenges together.

Rotational units – like the 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which sent their F-35A Lightning II’s to CN 25 – regularly conduct missions to enhance Kadena Air Base's operational readiness to defend Japan and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Other rotational units currently stationed at Kadena include the 77th EFS from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the 525th EFS from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, operating the F-22 Raptor.

CN25 showcased seamless collaboration and communication between the U.S., Japanese, and Australian air forces, by the integration of their F-35 fighters. This provided a platform for these nations to exchange knowledge and best practices on the effective deployment, maintenance, and command and control of these advanced fifth-generation aircraft.

"When multiple nations operate the same advanced platforms, joint training becomes essential. It enables us to identify and understand the subtle differences in how each country deploys, maintains, and commands these aircraft,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Trevor Callens, 134th EFS commander.

He also said the critical knowledge provided by combined and joint exercises would be difficult to acquire without forming partnerships with allies.

CN-25 continues this legacy of partnership, emphasizing the importance of interoperability and advanced defense capabilities in maintaining regional stability.

• Date Taken: 02.26.2025
• Date Posted: 02.27.2025 02:39
• Story ID: 491501
• Location: KADENA AIR BASE, OKINAWA, JP