(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) – Several F-16 “Fighting Falcon” fighter aircrafts from the United States Pacific Air Forces (US PACAF) have landed at Butterworth Air Base, Penang, to kick off Exercise COPE TAUFAN 2023.
According to a media social statement from the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF), the arrival of fighter jets and exercise participants was welcomed by Colonel Razali Ahmad Jumali from RMAF and Colonel Kathryn Gaetke, the CO-Exercise Director (CO-EXDIR), along with officers and members of RMAF.
Delegations from US PACAF, RMAF, and the 10th Brigade (Para) have arrived at Butterworth Air Base and Subang Air Base in stages from September 10 to 18, 2023, to carry out Exercise COPE TAUFAN 2023 (Eks CT23).
Approximately 220 members of the United States military, 424 members of RMAF, and 472 members of the 10th Brigade (Para) are involved in this exercise.
This year COPE TAUFAN exercise also involves RMAF’s air assets such as Su-30MKM aircraft, HAWK, F/A-18D, C-130H, A400 M, and EC 725 AP, while US PACAF’s C-130 aircraft and F-16 fighter jets will also be participating.
Vehicles such as VAMTAC, motorcycles, and LG 1 Mk III howitzers from the 10th Brigade (Para) will also be involved in this exercise.
Through this exercise platform, defense cooperation between RMAF and US PACAF is continuously strengthened and reinforced.
“For the 2023 exercise edition, the focus is not only on bilateral military cooperation but also on integrated modern military operations involving the participants,” said a PACAF spokesperson.
A few days ago, US PACAF, through a statement, mentioned that the C-130 transport aircraft was from the Delaware Air National Guard’s 166th Airlift Wing, New Castle Air National Guard Base, and the F-16 fighter jets were based at the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base in South Korea.
“COPE TAUFAN 2023 exercise will prioritize air-to-air training and air delivery capabilities while placing a high emphasis on flight support operations in a real-world scenario,” PACAF stated.
It stated that the exercise aims to enhance Malaysia’s and the United States’ readiness while highlighting the strategic military power of the United States with a focus on interoperability, security cooperation, and capability building.
PACAF stated that its involvement in military exercises with the armed forces of partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region demonstrates the United States’ commitment to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
According to a social media statement released by RMAF a few days ago, during the COPE TAUFAN 2023 exercise period, RMAF and PACAF assets will conduct tactical flights in designated training areas.
These training areas involve airspace in several countries, including Penang and Perak, and include various categories of air assets such as fighter jets, transport aircraft, and helicopters. — DSA
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