Exercise Cope North 2025 has seen at least four different F-35 fifth-gen fighter operators conducting combined operations from Guam. These include U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force No. 75 Squadron, and Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35As along with U.S. Marine Corps F-35B STOVL variants of VMFA-121.
Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Takeshi Okubo, flight group commander, 3rd Air Wing, poses for a photo in front of an F-35A Lightning II during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt)
A Royal Australian Air Force maintainer prepares to work on a F-35A Lightning II for exercise Cope North 25, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 29, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt)
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II is flanked from top to bottom by a Royal Australian Air Force F-35A, a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A, and a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II during a formation over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, Feb. 7, 2025, as part of exercise Cope North 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Hansford)
From left to right, a Royal Australian Air Force F-35A, a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II, a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A, and a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II fly together over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility during exercise Cope North 2025, Feb. 7, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Caleb Roland)
Also joining the fun were RAAF 33 Squadron’s KC-30 tanker transports and a 2 Squadron E-7A Wedgetail, JASDF E-2D Hawkeyes and a KC-46 refueling tanker, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growlers, and USMC F/A-18C Hornets. Meanwhile, the USAF also had F-16CMs, KC-135s, and E-3s in the air with MH-60S running SAR. In all, some 62 aircraft and 2,300 personnel were surged to Anderson AFB from across the Pacific– with some USAF units coming from as far away as Tinker and Tyndal.
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7 Wedgetail is flanked from top to bottom by a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, a RAAF F-35A Lightning II, a USAF F-35A, a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, a USMC F/A-18C Super Hornet, and followed by a U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler during a formation over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, Feb. 7, 2025, as part of exercise Cope North 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Hansford)
A Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail is flanked from left to right by a U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon, a RAAF F-35A Lightning II, a USAF F-35A, a Japan Air Self Defense Force F-35A, a U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, and a USMC F/A-18C Hornet, with a U.S Navy EA-18G Growler in the center rear during a formation flight over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility as part of exercise Cope North 2025, Feb. 7, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Thomas Hansford)
As noted by the USAF:
CN25 showcases the importance of cooperation and partnership in maintaining a stable and secure Indo-Pacific region and highlights the U.S. commitment to working with Allies and partners to promote peace and prosperity. The F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability to the realistic combat training and scenarios in CN25.
Meanwhile, B-1B Lancers from the South Dakota-based 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron showed up for the fun as well. Formed up as Bomber Task Force 25-1, they are visiting the Philippines and other countries in the Rim.
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer assigned to the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D., is parked at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in support of Bomber Task Force 25-1, Feb. 10, 2025. Bomber missions provide opportunities to train and work with our Allies and partners in joint and coalition operations and exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brittany Kenney)