Japan Air Self-Defense Force Archives

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 978 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 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 861 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 2064 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 1328 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 military working dog, Zlo, during the trilateral security forces subject matter expertise exchange at Iruma Air Base, Japan. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

New milestone for trilateral security forces

02/02/2024 Posted by Mike Hughes 1732 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Military Working Dogs, No. 13 Squadron, US Air Force

An Air Force military working dog’s (MWD) first trip to Japan has marked a significant step in Australia’s commitment to

Personnel from 2 Security Forces Squadron take part in an aircraft security operations course on the flightline at RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Greg Hinks. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

Security in numbers for evacuation scenario

01/12/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1448 Views 0 Comments C-17A Globemaster III, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 2 Security Forces Squadron, RAAF Amberley

As the morning sun shone down on an undisclosed airfield, the roar of a C-17A Globemaster III turned heads as

News Royal Australian Air Force

A focus on gender, peace and security

08/11/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1335 Views 0 Comments Exercise Bushido Guardian, gender, gender advisers (GENADs), Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron, peace and security (GPS)

A re-examination of gender, peace and security within Air Combat Group has resulted in gender advisers deploying more frequently on

Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft fly with Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle aircraft during Exercise Bushido Guardian 2023. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Exercise Bushido Guardian

22/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2466 Views 1 Comment Exercise Bushido Guardian, F-35B Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 75 Squadron

Australian and Japanese aviators forged strong partnerships and lifelong lessons during the two-week Exercise Bushido Guardian in Japan. CAPTION: Royal

Flight Lieutenant Rosemary Callery addresses the attendees of the Women, Peace and Security networking event at Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Base during Exercise Bushido Guardian. Story by Flight Lieutenant Claire Campbell. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Samuel Miller.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

A multilateral conversation about gender equality

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1144 Views 2 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force

Japanese and Australian service personnel had an opportunity to learn about each other’s approach to gender, peace, and security (GPS)

Pilot Officer Ema Kobayakawa talks with Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel at RAAF Base Tindal, NT. Story by Flight Lieutenant Rachael Blake. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

ADF People

Breaking down language barriers

19/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1054 Views 0 Comments air traffic control, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, No. 452 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

An historic visit by Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-35A Lightning IIs to Australia allowed a small group of linguists

An F-35A Lightning II from the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron during sunset at RAAF Base Tindal. Story by Squadron Leader Eamon Hamilton.

News Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Historic Australian first for Japan’s F-35As

08/09/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 2686 Views 1 Comment Chief of Air Force, F-35A Lightning II, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement, No. 75 Squadron, RAAF Tindal

A warm Northern Territory welcome greeted the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) on the first international deployment of its F-35A

Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Major General Hiroaki Sakanashi, right, with Wing Commander Neil Bowen at 33 Squadron, RAAF Base Amberley, Queensland. Story by Flight Lieutenant Julia Ravell. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Taylor Anderson.

News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF/Japan make giant leap in air-to-air refuelling

20/07/202321/07/2023 Posted by Mike Hughes 1321 Views 0 Comments Aircraft Research and Development Unit, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron, RAAF Amberley

Defence cooperation between the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the RAAF took a significant leap forward last month. CAPTION: Japan

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 1817 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

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2 pilot Captain Hiroki Tetsuo prepares for a sortie at RAAF Base Darwin during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. Story by Flight Lieutenant Jessica Winnall. Photo by Corporal Kylie Gibson .

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Air-to-air refuelling a success

07/09/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 1721 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport

A mid-air refuelling exercise has demonstrated Japan and Australia’s commitment to Pacific cooperation at Exercise Pitch Black 2022. CAPTION: Japan

An air-to-air refuelling flight test between Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft from No. 33 Squadron and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF or Koku-Jieitai) Mitsubishi F-2A over Japan. Story by Eamon Hamilton.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF refuels Japanese aircraft for the first time

29/04/202229/04/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 3053 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, No. 33 Squadron

For the first time, the RAAF has conducted air-to-air refuelling flight testing with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF, or

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 2439 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:

Director-General Air Command Operations Air Commodore Stephen Chappell and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Colonel Hiroshi Fujii at RAAF Base Amberley. Story by Flying Officer Robert Hodgson. Photo by Corporal Brett Sherriff.

Japan News Royal Australian Air Force

Amberley hosts Japan Air Self-Defense Force

09/02/2022 Posted by Mike Hughes 2601 Views 0 Comments Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Operation Tonga Assist 2022, RAAF Amberley

RAAF Base Amberley is hosting a number of Japan Air Self-Defense Force aircraft, which are using the base to load