Cope Tiger Starts Next Week

Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy aviation and ground units are heading to Thailand to join forces with Royal Thai Air Force and Army and Republic of Singapore Air Force elements in the Cope Tiger field training exercise. The annual event runs this year from March 9-20 at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, northeast of Bangkok, and at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base. Overall, more than 2,300 personnel are talking part in the exercise, including about 1,200 US service members. Participating USAF assets include A-10s, C-17s, C-130s, E-3 AWACS, F-15s, and KC-135s from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, Hickam AFB, Hawaii, Kadena AB, Japan, Osan AB, South Korea, and Yokota AB, Japan. There will also be Marine and Navy E-2s, F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornets, and KC-130s. Cope Tiger 2009, which is jointly sponsored by Thailand and the US, will include a humanitarian/civic assistance program. (Hickam release)