CN25 tests partner nations fifth-generation capability U.S. Air Force Logo Feb. 19, 2025 250214-F-SP759-1379 From left: Royal Australian Air Force maintainer, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Loringer, 134th Fighter Squadron pilot, and Japan Air Self Defense Force maintainer pose for photo in front of a F-35A Lightning II during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. The JASDF and RAAF maintainers teamed up to work on USAF F-35 aircraft to strengthen their skills with their allies. CN25 focuses on the interoperability of these united nations in order to prepare for future conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 A Japan Air Self Defense Force pilot shares a signal to JASDF leadership before taking-off in an F-35A Lightning II for exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. The F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability to the realistic combat training and scenarios in CN25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 From left: FLTLT Mitchell, SQNLDR James and FLTLT Jason, Royal Australian Air Force pilots, pose for photo in front of F-35A Lightning II after successfully landing their jets on the flight-line for exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. Participants exercise interoperability during CN25 through agile, integrated generation of airpower, demonstrating Allied airpower resilience and survivability in a contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 Japan Self Defense Force Maj. Gen. Yukinori Yanagi, director of Defense Plans and Operations Directorate, admires F-35A Lightning II aircraft on the flight line during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. 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. (U.S. Air Force photos by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 From left: A Royal Australian Air Force maintainer, a Japan Air Self Defense Force maintainer and U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Mike Loringer, 134th Fighter Squadron pilot, speak with each other on the flight-line during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. CN25 is a multinational, U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, field training exercise focused on conducting Combat Air Force training to increase interoperability. This exercise enhances U.S. relationships and interoperability with our regional Allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate multilateral defense capabilities and compatibility in support of regional security. ( U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 Japan Air Self Defense Force maintainer waits for a F-35A Lightning II to take-off on the flightline for exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. CN25 enhances relationships and interoperability with regional allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate multilateral defense capabilities and compatibility in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 From left: Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Takeshi Okubo, flight group commander, 3rd Air Wing; Col. Keisuke Sakamoto, head of the Exercise and Training Division for the Air Defense Command; Maj. Gen. Yukinori Yanagi, director of Defense Plans and Operations Directorate at the Air Defense Command headquarters; Col. Hideki Tomizaki, commander of the 3rd Tactical Airlift Group and Miho Air Base; Lt. Col. Shinji Isyama, chief of the KC-46A program at the HQ 3rd Tactical Lift Airlift Wing; pose for a photo in front of a JASDF F-35A Lightning II on the flightline during exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. This exercise enhances JASDF relationships and interoperability with their regional Allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate multilateral defense capabilities and compatibility in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download 250214-F-SP759-1379 Royal Australian Air Force pilot, FLTLT Mitchell, parks an F-35A Lightning II on the flight-line for exercise Cope North 25 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 13, 2025. The F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability to the realistic combat training and scenarios in CN25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) Details Download By Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Cope North 25 continues its trilateral aerial exercise at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 19, 2025. This year’s main focus is the relationship of the U.S. Air Force, joint services, Japan Air Self Defense Force and Royal Australian Air Force fifth-generation aircraft and strengthening the interoperability of allies. “Cope North 25 is an opportunity for the USAF, RAAF and JASDF to integrate at a level of training that you can't accomplish anywhere else,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Bobby Evans, 134th Fighter Squadron electronic combat pilot. “The airspace here is unrestrictive, and the amount of time we are able to spend tackling problems together is a fantastic experience.” CN25 marks the first year where there are F-35A Lightning IIs from all three participating nations with the U.S. Marine Corps bringing in the F-35B Lightning II. The F-35A Lightning II is the coalition forces’ latest 5th generation aircraft. This specific aircraft was designed to operate with its ability to survive in a contested environment, with its advanced avionics, situational awareness, aerodynamic performance and reduced vulnerability for the United States and partner nations. “The number one goal of Cope North is the integration of the F-35 tactics between the three nations, Japan, Australia and the United States," said U.S. Air Force Col. Charles Schuck, 3rd Wing commander. "We all use the F-35, so you would think that one airplane means that we do everything the same, but that's an assumption we have to validate." He went on to explain that each country operates in a unique way, which is why trilateral integration exercises such as CN25 are vital. With a few days left of CN25, JASDF, RAAF, USAF and other joint nations continue to sharpen aerial warfighting integration, strengthening joint integration and partnership for a free and open Indo-Pacific.