U.S. Airmen train with Thai, Singaporean counterparts during Cope Tiger

  • Published
  • By Capt. Christy Stravolo
  • Cope Tiger Public Affairs
KORAT ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand --  As Cope Tiger 2010 flying operations entered their second week March 9, U.S., Royal Thai and Republic of Singapore Air Force teams are still going strong and meeting mission objectives each time they go up in the air, according to exercise officials here.

Capt. Jeff Watts, an air battle manager deployed here from Kadena Air Base, Japan, is the U.S. live fly cell scheduler. Each day he works side-by-side with his counterparts in the Royal Thai Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force to de-conflict airspace issues and adjust flying schedules, so all sides are in agreement on how missions will be conducted during the exercise.

"The pilots and aircrews funnel information up to us in the live-fly cell," Captain Watts said.  "We de-conflict and then come up with the best game plan for everyone--U.S., Thai and Singaporean. Then we push that information back down to the units."

The Thai air force "owns" the airspace, and while that means the United States is more in a position of asking, Captain Watts said the great working relationship the Americans have with the Thai airmen plays a key role in getting the job done.

"This is my fourth Cope Tiger and I've developed life-long friendships with some of the guys I'm working with in the live-fly cell," Captain Watts said. "In the past, my Thai counterparts have always been willing to bend over backwards to accommodate whatever we are asking, and this year is no different."

Out on the flightline, the F-15 Eagle pilots deployed here from the 19th Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, echo Captain Watts' sentiments.

"I've been very impressed with the Thai and Singaporean air forces," said Major Scott Rowe. "They operate tactically very similar to what I'm used to, and it's been very easy to sit down and figure out how we are going to employ together based off of our commonalities."

While the 19 FS has deployed to Cope Tiger in the past, this is the first time Major Rowe has participated in the annual, multilateral exercise. According to Major Rowe, the most valuable experience has been getting to plan and execute a large force employment mission.

"It's basically a two-day process," Major Rowe said. "The first day you get together with all the flight leads that are participating and use that time to outline what's expected, what we're supposed to do, and how we're going to work together to get the job done. We iron out the different issues, how each platform can best be utilized, and we come up with a plan that highlights the strengths and minimizes the weaknesses.

"Then the next day, we fly the mission the way we planned it and, once it's complete, we do a debrief to discuss what went well and what could've been done better," the major added. 

Major Rowe said the biggest challenge his squadron has faced has been logistical due to some challenges moving all of the unit's equipment to Thailand.

"We've had some issues trying to get the number of sorties, but our maintainers have been working really hard to get us the training we need, so it's been a positive thing overall," Major Rowe said.

In addition to the F-15s, the United States brought A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130 Hercules and an E-3 Sentry to Cope Tiger 2010. According to Captain Watts, most of the missions have been offensive counter air because it provides more of a training opportunity.

"With defensive counter air, you're just protecting a point," said Captain Watts. "But with offensive counter air, you have a more complex scenario where you have to maintain air superiority, especially in the event of a personnel recovery, and you have to protect your strikers so they can put 'bombs' on target."

With the exercise wrapping up on Friday, Captain Watts said his focus is continuing safe flying operations.

"We haven't had any incidents to date and complacency is a consideration now that we're getting toward the end of the exercise," Captain Watts said. "Everyone is really satisfied with how the exercise has gone. Anytime you fly with and get to interact with Singapore and Thailand air forces, it's successful because we are continuing to build a strong relationship and enhance interoperability.

"When you are greeted with a smile every morning and they are willing to do anything to accommodate you, you know you've done something right over the years in order for them to trust you," he added.

The United States has participated in Cope Tiger exercises since 1994. More than 500 Airmen from active duty, guard and reserve units across the country are participating in the exercise, which runs from March 1 to 12.