The United States, Australia, and Japan deployed advanced stealth fighter jets for a military exercise last week in Guam, a key U.S. outpost in the Western Pacific. Situated approximately 1,500 miles east of the Philippines and south of Japan, Guam serves as a strategic hub for projecting U.S. military power into the first island chain—a defensive line formed by Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines aimed at countering adversaries’ military movements.
As part of the second island chain, Guam hosts U.S. Air
Force, Navy, and Marine Corps bases. Last month, four U.S. B-1B bombers were
stationed there to support efforts in upholding the "rules-based
international order" in the Indo-Pacific.
The trilateral exercise, Cope North 2025, runs from February
3 to 21 at Andersen Air Force Base and its surrounding airspace. The drills
focus on enhancing the "fifth-generation fighter" capabilities of the
U.S., Australian, and Japanese air forces.
Pentagon-released photos from Saturday show four F-35
stealth fighters from the three nations flying together, including three F-35A
aircraft from the U.S., Australia, and Japan, alongside a U.S. Marine Corps
F-35B.
"Exercise Cope North 2025 aims to further integrate
ally and partner capabilities to strengthen security and stability, ensuring a
free and open Indo-Pacific," read a caption accompanying the images. The
U.S. Pacific Air Forces described the exercise as dedicated to realistic combat
training.
The F-35, a U.S.-designed stealth fighter, comes in three
variants: the F-35A, designed for conventional runways; the F-35B, capable of
short takeoff and vertical landing; and the F-35C, optimized for aircraft
carrier operations.
By exchanging knowledge and refining tactics, techniques,
and procedures, the joint training enhances interoperability among allied
forces, reinforcing deterrence and regional security, according to U.S. Pacific
Air Forces.
The exercise follows China’s unveiling of two new stealth
fighters, the J-20S and J-35A, at an airshow last November, making it the
second nation after the U.S. to operate multiple radar-evading jets.
"For over 45 years, Cope North has strengthened
military cooperation in the Pacific, focusing on defense and
interoperability," the U.S. Pacific Air Forces stated.
Royal Australian Air Force Contingent Commander Group
Captain Darryl Porter emphasized the significance of joint training:
"Bringing our F-35s and personnel together strengthens relationships and
enhances interoperability."
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Colonel Takeshi Okubo echoed
the sentiment: "We train together, we fight together, and together, we
serve as a deterrent to conflict."
The Pentagon is expected to continue deploying advanced
military assets to Guam and other regional bases, reinforcing its strategic
presence in the Western Pacific.
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