Exercise Cope North Archives - CONTACT magazine

Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot Captain Nakanishi, United States Air Force pilot Lieutenant Mike Watson and Royal Australian Air Force pilot Flight Lieutenant Ryan Turner during Exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos: by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

Lightning strikes thrice in Guam

04/03/202505/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1077 Views 0 Comments Andersen AFB, Exercise Cope North, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron, US Air Force

For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force, United States Air Force (USAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF)

A RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft departs Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 25. Story b y Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Tankers band together in Guam

25/02/202501/03/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1522 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Guam, Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF), KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, US Air Force

Australian, Japanese and American refuelling aircraft have joined forces to feed thirsty fast jets in the skies above Guam. CAPTION: A

RAAF armament technicians load explosive ordnance on to an F-35A Lightning II aircraft during Exercise Cope North 25, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning crews drop bombshell in Guam

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1481 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, GBU-39 small-diameter bombs, No. 75 Squadron

The Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) 75 Squadron has launched into Exercise Cope North 25 with a bang, testing the

A RAAF F-35A Lightning II aircraft departs during Exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Madeleine Magee. Photos by Aircraftwoman Mikaela Fernlund.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Lightning strikes in Guam

12/02/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 944 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 2 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal, USAF

Hosted in the Indo-Pacific island of Guam, the last several iterations of Exercise Cope North have traditionally been an opportunity

RAAF personnel during Exercise Cope North 2024 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, US. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

A stronger force leaves Guam

01/03/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 2130 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Exercise Cope North, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, US Air Force

Exercise Cope North 24 has finished after a rewarding four weeks in Guam for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF),

A US Navy MH-60S Seahawk takes flight at Tinian North during Exercise Cope North 24. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Maddison Scott.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Island agility proves force readiness

23/02/202423/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1370 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, US Navy, USAF, USMC

On Tinian, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the Royal Australian Air Force deployed forward with their multinational counterparts

RAAF Leading Aircraftman Carl Dransfield, of 27 Squadron, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

ADF People Royal Australian Air Force

Dynamic moves for Cope North

16/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1444 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, No. 27 Squadron, USAF

Embedded within a United States Air Force (USAF) squadron for Exercise Cope North 24, Leading Aircraftman Carl Dransfield from 27

Australian and US personnel were re-tasked to conduct a real-world aeromedical evacuation during Exercise Cope North 24, flying to Micronesia to extract a patient requiring medical care in Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Corporal Deniele Oehm.

News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Swift response validates Cope North partnerships

16/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1671 Views 0 Comments aero-medial evacuation, C-27J Spartan, Exercise Cope North, Guam, Micronesia, No. 35 Squadron, US Air Force

During Exercise Cope North 24, Royal Australian Air Force and United States Air Force assets and personnel were rapidly re-tasked

RAAF aviators unload a C-27J Spartan at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in readiness for Exercise Cope North 24. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photos by Leading Aircraftman Kurt Lewis.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF ‘combat ready’ at Cope North

09/02/202418/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1714 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Exercise Cope North, Guam

Exercise Cope North 24 kicked off at Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, with Royal Australian Air Force elements prepared

Aviators from the Royal Australian Air Force, US Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North. Photo by Staff Sergeant Pedro Tenorio (US).

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

Pacific exercise builds flexible air power

27/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1876 Views 0 Comments C-27J Spartan, Exercise Cope North, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, US Air Force

Australia, the United States and Japan have wrapped up Exercise Cope North 2023 in the west Pacific. CAPTION: Aviators from

33 Squadron Maintenance Manager Sergeant Jason Bahadur on board a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Cope North 20 in Guam. Story by Warrant Officer Class Two Max Bree. Photo by Sergeant David Said.

ADF People

Aviator’s legacy of improving effectiveness

03/02/202303/02/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1607 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, Order of Australia

Increasing aircraft availability, streamlining safety processes, saving in excess of 6000 hours in labour resources, capability enhancements and driving positive

Royal Australian Air Force loadmaster Corporal Daniel Smith (centre) guides a United States Air Force Humvee out of a C-27J Spartan from No. 35 Squadron on Tinian island, Northern Mariana Islands, during Exercise Cope North 2022. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF sends Spartan contingent to Cope North 2023

31/01/202331/01/2023 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2581 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North

The Royal Australian Air Force has deployed one C-27J Spartan aircraft and personnel to participate in Exercise Cope North in

Sergeant Brooke Saunders performs a check of an F-35A Lightning II during Exercise Cope North 2022 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Aldred. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People

On the world stage

08/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1688 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, International Women's Day

Representing Air Force on the world stage has been a common occurrence for Aircraft Technician Sergeant Brooke Saunders. CAPTION: Sergeant

Leading Aircraftman Ronan Geoghgan (left) from No. 23 Squadron and a United States airman prepare to refuel a Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai) F-15J Eagle aircraft during Exercise Cope North. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force USA Videos

Cope North strengthened ties

25/02/202202/03/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2421 Views 0 Comments 23 Squadron, Exercise Cope North, No

Enhancing Australian, Japanese and United States relationships was a key outcome of Exercise Cope North 2022, which concluded on February

Three Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft from No. 77 Squadron prior to mid-air refueling over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Cope North 22. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo: Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force USA

Integrated flying at its finest

25/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2481 Views 0 Comments E-7A Wedgetail, Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, Guam, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 2 Squadron, No. 77 Squadron, USAF

Combat and airspace battle management aircraft ruled the skies over Guam during Exercise Cope North 22, executing multinational missions. CAPTION:

Air Force aircraft technician Sergeant Steven Grant, left, and airfield defence guard Leading Aircraftman Jason Grant, who are also father and son, catch up during Exercise Cope North at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People

Father-son duo together on exercise

23/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2184 Views 1 Comment Exercise Cope North, F-35A Lightning II, No. 77 Squadron

In a fitting tribute before retiring after 27 years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), Sergeant Steven

Leading Aircraftman Ronan Geoghgan, from No. 23 Squadron, retrieves a hose after refuelling a Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Exercise Cope North 2022. Story by Flying Officer Bronwyn Marchant. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Sam Price.

ADF People

Exercise fuels learning experiences

23/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1443 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North

Aviation refuelling is nothing new for Leading Aircraftman Ronan Geoghegan, but he operated a United States Air Force (USAF) refuelling

Royal Australian Air Force aircraft join United States Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft on the taxiway at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam prior to conducting a multinational airdrop during Exercise Cope North 2022. Photo from USAF.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force USA Videos

Exercise Cope North proceeds in heightened-threat environment

18/02/202218/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2953 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North, Guam, No. 2 Squadron, No. 33 Squadron, No. 35 Squadron

Typhoons and a heightened threat environment are just some of the scenarios faced by Australian, Japanese and United States participants in Exercise

A No. 2 Squadron E-7A Wedgetail taxis out to the Andersen Air Force Base runway during Exercise Cope North 20 in Guam. Photo by Corporal David Said.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF heading for Guam and Ex Cope North 2022

27/01/2022 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2031 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North

The Royal Australian Air Force will deploy aircraft and personnel to Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands to

Personnel from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, USAF and the Japanese Self Defence Force cross train in security tactics for Exercise Cope North 2018, Andersen Air Force Base Guam. Photo by Corporal Glen McCarthy.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Adgies train at Ex Cope North

24/02/201803/03/2018 Posted by Brian Hartigan 7037 Views 0 Comments Exercise Cope North

Personnel from the RAAF’s No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, as well as their counterparts from the USAF and the Japanese

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