Cope North '03

　　Lt.General Iwasaki (retired), JAAGA secretariat, visited Misawa Air Base to cheer USAF and JASDF members gathering there to participate in Cope North Exercise 03-02.　Cope North was one of exercises held inside Japan last several years.　Cope North Exercise 03-02 was held from 7th to 16th of May, F-16s, C-130s, KC-135s from USAF, F-4s, F-15s,T-4s from JASDF and AWACSs from both Forces participated in. Also this exercise was specially meaningful opportunity to F-15s of 2nd Air Wing (JASDF Chitose AB) for last "Tune-Up" (General Waskow said) of intensive AAR Training which they had been taking since first orientation flights with USAF F-15s at Kadena just last March. Yes, JASDF F-15s will finally go to Alaska to participate in Cope Thunder getting fuel from USAF tankers next month. Our long term dream is going to be realized owing to USAF's total support under kind guidance of successive 5th Air Force commanders. This time, secretariat Iwasaki could meet Lt.General Waskow at Yokota and General Begert at Misawa, and allowed to express our appreciation to perfect assistance from all USAF members concerned.　He was impressed that both generals shared our emotion about JASDF's historical big step toward first step to gain new operational capability as an air force. Secretariat Iwasaki attended mass-debriefing and following final party on 16th May to present beer (in envelop) to co-directors of exercise with words. "I participate in party as JAAGA representative to support promotion of mutual understanding and friendship between USAF and JASDF. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen US-Japan security arrangement, and aiming this goal, it is more important for us to build up mutual confidence rather than just friendship.　I know that sharing professionalism with each other is most helpful to build up mutual confidence between two air forces. In that sense, Cope North exercise is key opportunity for us.　JASDF has been learning a lot from USAF. Even though JASDF again have learned new operation of airborne refueling in this exercise. If JASDF members could give some professional impressions to USAF members through exercise activities, I am more than happy as a former commander of Air Defense Command"　(Reported by secretariat, Iwasaki)