Advanced air training is enhancing interoperability and forging relationships among Allies and Partners across the Indo-Pacific.
Cope North 2025 in Guam, the United States Pacific Air Forces’ (PACAF) largest multilateral exercise, included more than 2,300 personnel from Australia, Japan and the U.S. Upwards of 80 air assets participated, including fighter jets, command and control and transport aircraft, tankers and helicopters, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine.
It marked the first combined F-35 fighter jet exercise among the allies since their defense summit in May 2024. The countries have agreed to continue sharing techniques and tactics in multilateral exercises including Japan’s Bushido Guardian in 2025 and Australia’s 2026 iteration of Pitch Black.
“This exercise focused on fifth-generation air warfare capabilities and whole force integration in realistic yet complex scenarios,” Royal Australian Air Force Group Capt. Darryl Porter said.
The training “greatly contributed to the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Takeshi Okubo said during Cope North’s opening ceremony. “We train together and fight together. And together we are an active deterrence to conflict.”
The U.S. and its Allies and Partners have conducted Cope North for more than 45 years and strive to provide realistic combat training for successful air and space operations, according to PACAF.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and U.S. air forces along with U.S. Marine Corps personnel and aircraft flew over the Korean Peninsula in February 2025. Assets included F-35s, B-1B bombers and F-16 fighters. The engagement validated the longtime allies’ ability to conduct strikes and coordinate in a contested environment.
“Advanced training … ensures we’re able to maintain the high levels of readiness necessary for our combined defense posture,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. David Iverson. “Each time our aircrew plan, execute and debrief together, we build proficiency in our tactics, techniques and procedures to defend the Alliance, if required.”
The engagement demonstrated the allies’ deterrence capabilities against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats, Seoul’s Defense Ministry stated.
The ROK and U.S. have expanded military training and launched trilateral exercises with the Japan Self-Defense Forces amid Pyongyang’s provocations. Such combined activities increasingly include long-range bombers, aircraft carriers, submarines and other advanced weapons systems.
In another demonstration of complex training and growing cooperation, the Indonesian Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard conducted an air-to-air refueling engagement in February 2025 in Denpasar, Indonesia. The training supported F-16 recertification requirements and also focused on strengthening interoperability and regional security efforts.
“For many of us, this mission isn’t just about fuel transfers — it’s about trust, adaptability, and building a foundation for future interoperability,” said U.S. Air National Guard 1st Lt. Alison Bowman, an air refueling squadron pilot.
Indonesian Air Force Lt. Col. Ripdho Utomo, an exercise planner, said he was grateful for the collaboration. “This opportunity not only strengthens our operational readiness but also ensures we have the capabilities to secure our territorial integrity,” he said.
