More than 1,200 service members and civilians from the US, Thailand, and Singapore wrapped up two weeks of joint training Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base on 18th March. The exercise, which began on 7th March, included mission planning, airborne air control, in-flight air refueling, electronic warfare, airlift, and close air support.

Lt. Col. Jack Arthaud, the exercise director for the U.S. Air Force, explained that by participating in exercises with multilateral military forces, the U.S. demonstrates its commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

A trilateral Link 16 network was new to this year’s exercise, providing a significant increased capability for the Royal Thai Air Force.

Over 220 U.S. personnel participated in Cope Tiger 16 along with approximately 1,000 service members from the Thai and Singaporean militaries. The exercise involved a combined total of 87 aircraft and 48 air defence assets from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

The 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Japan, provided 12 F-15 Eagles and one E-3B Sentry AWACS.