Multi-aircraft mission provides key training in Thailand

by Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young
Defense Media Activity-Hawaii

3/9/2010 - UDON THANI ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand -- C-17 Globemaster III aircrews integrated with multiple aircraft types here March 8 to complete an airdrop training mission as part of Cope Tiger 2010.

The C-17s from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, flew in a three-ship formation to conduct airdrops while under escort of A-10 Thunderbolt IIs from Osan Air Base, South Korea; F-15 Eagles from Elmendorf AFB; and Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons. C-130 Hercules from Yokota AB, Japan, also participated in the mission.

Cope Tiger 2010 is a multilateral exercise in Thailand involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and Republic of Singapore Air Force. U.S. participation is led by 13th Air Force at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, on behalf of Pacific Air Forces.

Lt. Col. Andy Hird, 517th Airlift Squadron commander at Elmendorf AFB, said the scenario was realistic but also challenging given the multiple airframes involved.

"It was our goal to bring all of these forces together in order to smash the 'bad guys,' get supplies to the 'good guys,' and get out without getting anyone hurt," Colonel Hird said. "That is a real bear to put together, but that is what Cope Tiger is all about."

Capt. Fred Wilson, a C-130 pilot from the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota AB, had the opportunity to sit in a C-17 cockpit during the training mission.

"It's exciting to see how the technology has changed between when the C-130 was built and when the C-17 was built," Captain Wilson said. "[By observing] I get to witness how the C-17 operates, which in turn makes it easier when we work together."

It is rare for C-17s to fly in a three-ship formation. Therefore, it was a great training opportunity for many involved, said Capt. Joseph Leman, deployed to Cope Tiger 2010 from the 517th Airlift Squadron.

"We train at home quite a bit, but it's fun to go to another location and train," Captain Leman said. "It was nice to get training in a big exercise in an area that we're not used to and with different drop zones."

The training mission offered some firsts for the Airmen participating.

"This is my first Cope Tiger and the first time that I've integrated with A-10s," Captain Leman said. "There's a lot involved because we have to be aware of how each other operate. For example, we have to maintain a certain speed so we stay together."

Colonel Hird said that most people who take part in an exercise like Cope Tiger 2010 may never get that type of training again.

"This is an experience that, as Airmen, we all need to grab a hold of and take advantage of," Colonel Hird said.

Source

'Warthogs' take flight at Cope Tiger

Airmen from the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, walk to their aircraft at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 4, 2010, before conducting the first of several planned missions as part of Cope Tiger 2010. The Airmen are participating in the annual, multilateral field training exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force March 1-12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res

by Capt. Genieve David
13th Air Force Public Affairs

3/5/2010 - UDON THANI ROYAL THAI AIR FORCE BASE, Thailand -- Flying operations for the A-10 Thunderbolt IIs participating in Cope Tiger 2010 kicked-off with a four-ship training mission here March 4.

Cope Tiger is a multilateral, combined and joint command post and field training exercise involving the United States, Thailand and Singapore. This year's takes place at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases March 1 to 12 in Thailand.

The four 'Warthogs,' as the A-10 is affectionately called, are based out of Osan Air Base, South Korea. They exercised a basic surface attack mission with simulated weapons at the Nam Phong Range in Thailand.

"It's an amazing opportunity to be able to participate in the exercise," said 1st Lt. Bennett Merriman, a pilot with the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB. "We gain valuable training and have the opportunity to learn from one another."

This is not the first time the 25th FS has been to Thailand. In 1968, the squadron was stationed at Ubon and Udorn Royal Thai AFBs as the 25th Tactical Fighter Squadron and conducted combat operations in Vietnam.

Almost a decade later, the squadron was reassigned to Japan until 1981 and finally activated under the 51st Fighter Wing at Osan AB, where it resides today. The lieutenant said he was proud to carry on the squadron's tradition through events like Cope Tiger.

"The exercise allows our combined forces a way to develop multilateral interoperability and procedures," said Lieutenant Merriman, who is currently upgrading in combat search and rescue. "We are glad to participate with Thailand and Singapore in Cope Tiger."

Cope Tiger 2010 is a multilateral exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and Republic of Singapore Air Force. U.S. participation is led by 13th Air Force at JB Pearl Harbor Hickam, on behalf of Pacific Air Forces.



Airmen from the 25th Aircraft Maintenance Unit at Osan AB, Republic of Korea, discard the "remove before flight" streamers prior to an A-10 Thunderbolt II take-off at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 4, 2010. The Airmen are participating in the annual, multilateral field training exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force March 1-12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 80-0239 with dragon theme ladder door art. For a closer look to this art please check Another dragon theme from Osan.



A-10 Thunderbolt II 80-0239 taxis on the runway at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 4, 2010, as part of Cope Tiger 2010. Note: AN/AAR-47 Missle Warning System is installed. No ID of the A-10 taxieing just behind. The A-10 parking at far left in the background must be 80-0244. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res



A-10 80-0253 from Osan AB, South Korea, returns from a Cope Tiger 2010 training mission at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 5, 2010. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young) Hi-res



A-10 Thunderbolt II crew chiefs and weapons loaders prepare their Osan AB, Republic of Korea, jets for shutdown after their return from a Cope Tiger 2010 training mission at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 5, 2010. Note: The aircraft in the foreground is A-10C 80-0245 with AN/AAQ-28 LITENING AT targeting pod. AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System is also installed. The aircraft in the background is A-10 81-0971.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Cohen A. Young) Hi-res



Capt. Matthew Lackey straps in to an A-10 Thunderbolt II prior to flying the first A-10 mission of Cope Tiger 2010 at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 4, 2010. Captain Lackey is deployed to the exercise from the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. His squadron is participating in the annual, multilateral field training exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force March 1-12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res



Capt. Matthew Lackey secures his helmet prior to flying the first A-10 Thunderbolt II mission of Cope Tiger 2010 at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, March 4, 2010. Captain Lackey is deployed to the exercise from the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan AB, Republic of Korea. His squadron is participating in the annual, multilateral field training exercise involving the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force March 1-12. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 80-0239.



Senior Airman Graeme Clark prepares the cockpit of an A-10 Thunderbolt II March 4, 2010, for pilots participating in Cope Tiger 2010 at Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. Airman Clark is deployed to the exercise from Osan AB, Republic of Korea. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Genieve David) Hi-res

Note: The aircraft is A-10 80-0239 with dragon theme ladder door art. For a closer look to this art please check Another dragon theme from Osan.

Source

Related info:
A-10s scheduled to participate in Cope Tiger 2010

Note: More related pictures will be uploaded soon.