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The F-35A Lightning II and the E-7A Wedgetail will be among the RAAF aircraft deployed to participate in the multinational warfighting exercise.
The Royal Australian Air Force is set to deploy aircraft and personnel to Guam and the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands for Exercise Cope North 22.
The RAAF will join counterparts from the United States Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai) from 2 to 18 February, 2022.
The exercise aims to bolster interoperability through Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and Large Force Employment.
The RAAF contingent is expected to include E-7A Wedgetail, C-27J Spartan, KC-30A multi role tanker transport and F-35A Lightning II aircraft, deployed alongside a contingency response squadron focused on HADR training.
“We are very pleased to be heading back to Guam for Cope North 22, which will provide invaluable experience for our personnel and enhances the effectiveness of the RAAF,” RAAF Task Unit Commander, Group Captain Andrew McHugh said.
“Through Cope North 22, we are focused on deepening relationships and strengthening engagement with the USAF’s Pacific Air Force and the Koku-Jieitai, to contribute to our shared vision of an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.”
GPCAPT McHugh said the exercise would equip the forces with the skills necessary to respond to contingencies in the Indo-Pacific.
“We are committed to developing an intelligent and skilled workforce with exercises such as Cope North providing the opportunity to operate as a combined force with the United States and the Japan, and ensure our people can deliver air power when required,” he said.
[Related: RAAF C-17A Globemaster delivers supplies to Solomon Islands]
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