Cope Taufan 2012 under way in Malaysia

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matt Summers
  • Cope Taufan Public Affairs
PENANG, Malaysia --  The Pacific Air Forces-sponsored Exercise Cope Taufan 2012 kicked off here April 2, partnering Airmen from the U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force in efforts to improve interoperability and enhance combat capabilities.
The biennial live-flying exercise between the two air forces includes dissimilar basic fighter maneuvers and dissimilar air combat tactics training.

"Exercise Cope Taufan provides our USAF members a tremendous opportunity to improve tactics, techniques and procedures for sustained operations at a deployed base while enhancing our partnership with the men and women of Malaysia," said Lt. Gen. Stanley Kresge, 13th Air Force commander, in a letter to U.S. Airmen taking part in the exercise.

More than 100 Airmen from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, are participating in the exercise, which also provides quality training for maintenance personnel.

"This is really good training for us and makes us better at our mission," said 1st Lt. Riley Hestermann, 67th AMU officer-in-charge, who's participated in seven other exercises across the Pacific. "These exercises also give our Airmen a chance to get involved with unique cultures and work with Airmen from different countries to share ideas."

The 67th Fighter Squadron from Kadena will pit their F-15 Eagles against RMAF MiG-29 Fulcrums, F/A-18 Hornets and Hawk 208 aircraft during Cope Taufan. Earlier this year, the 67th FS won the 2011 Raytheon Trophy as the best air superiority squadron in the Air Force.

PACAF has conducted exercises with the RMAF since the early 1980s. By participating in exercises with military forces from partner nations in the Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to peace and stability in the region, according to PACAF officials.

Exercises like Cope Taufan enhance collective defense capability by strengthening regional partnerships and interoperability of regional air forces.