JASDF Bilateral Training Exercises

On April 22nd, May 12th and May 27th, the JASDF held bilateral training exercises with the U.S. Air Force in the area and airspace over vicinity of Okinawa and the Sea of Japan.

During the training exercise on April 22nd, four F-15 fighters from the 6th Air Wing (Komatsu Air Base) and four from the 9th Air Wing (Naha Air Base), three F-2 fighters from the 7th Air Wing (Hyakuri Air Base), and four of the same (F-2) fighters from the 8th Air Wing (Tsuiki Air Base) conducted the training. From the U.S. Air Force, a B-1B Lancer from the 28th Bomb Wing (Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota) and four F-16 fighters from the 35th Fighter Wing (Misawa Air Base) participated in the training. Through conducting navigation and formation training, the JASDF and U.S. Air Force contributed to enhancing the Japan-U.S. bilateral response capabilities and improving tactical skills.

On May 12th, four F-15 fighters from the 5th Air Wing (Nyutabaru Air Base) and four from the 6th Air Wing (Komatsu Air Base), four F-2 fighters from the 7th Air Wing (Hyakuri Air Base), and four from the 8th Air Wing (Tsuiki Air Base) conducted training with a B-1B Lancer from the U.S. Air Force.

Furthermore, during the training exercise on May 27th, four F-15 fighters from the 5th Air Wing (Nyutabaru Air Base), four from the 6th Air Wing (Komatsu Air Base) and eight F-2 fighters from the 8th Air Wing (Tsuiki Air Base) conducted navigation and formation training together with two B-1B Lancers from the U.S. Air Force.