Exercise Cope Tiger 2011 concludes in Thailand

  • Published
  • By USAF Capt. Kirsten Udd
  • 13th Air Force Public Affairs
KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR BASE, Thailand --  U.S., Thai and Singaporean servicemembers commemorated the conclusion of another successful Cope Tiger exercise with a closing ceremony March 25 here.

Royal Thai Air Force Group Captain Thawonwat Chantanakom, accompanied by the U.S. Exercise Director Colonel Robert Huston and Republic of Singapore Air Force Colonel Neo Hong Keat, addressed participants at the final ceremony.

"This exercise has been beneficial for our personnel at all levels, as we have an opportunity to learn from each other's best practices and technical know-how," said Group Captain Thawonwat at the ceremony. "The exercise has also enabled us to enhance our interoperability and defense relations."

"Cope Tiger 2011's success, this being the 17th iteration of this exercise, is evidence of the strength of our ongoing partnerships in the Pacific region," said Col. Robert Huston.

"Today marks a phenomenal achievement with two key U.S. friends and allies, the RTAF and the RSAF," said Deputy Exercise Director Lt. Col. Marc Caudill, Director of Air, Space and Information Operations for 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. "Despite the tragedy in Japan, forces from our three great nations were able to come together, fly together, fight together, and win together."

There are challenges in any exercise and Cope Tiger was no exception. The C-130's and C-17's participating in Cope Tiger at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Base were reassigned to assist with relief efforts in Japan one week after the exercise began; The U.S., Thai and Singaporean team still managed to complete 1,043 sorties, 205 more than last year.

The teamwork and foundation of interoperability built through previous iterations of Cope Tiger allows ensuing exercises to provide new learning experiences, especially with such a variety of forces working so closely together.

"We are privileged to have participated in Exercise Cope Tiger 2011. The Marines and sailors of Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533, both in the air and on the ground, gained valuable training and, more importantly, an appreciation for the capabilities of our partners in the Royal Thai Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force," said Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533 Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. George Rowell. "We are very much looking forward to our next visit to Thailand," said Rowell.

Perfecting wartime tactics is not the only activity during Cope Tiger. In addition to working together as military forces, U.S. servicemembers teamed up with their Thai and Singaporean counterparts and volunteered their time for cultural exchanges at local schools, including a handicapped school and a deaf school. They collected more than $7,000 among themselves and visited Korat and Udon Thani area schools to donate a variety of items ranging from shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrushes, stationary, to water dispensers and fans. They also stocked the schools with sports equipment such as bicycles, badminton kits, soccer balls, volleyballs and legballs.

"We can only hope to build on the monumental success we've enjoyed this year, a true testimony to not only the flight crews and support staff, but also to the maintainers who kept the sortie counts high and this very important engagement venue a success," said Colonel Caudill.

Cope Tiger 2011, an annual, multilateral, joint field training exercise involving aviation and ground units from the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, the Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force. This year's event took place March 14 to 25 here and at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand.