The main goal of Cope North 25 is the integration of the F-35s from Japan, Australia and the United States, building cooperation, enhancing command and control practices, and developing air combat tactics.
This year’s edition of the Cope North exercise between the United States, Japan and Australia marks the first time F-35 Lightning IIs from all three nations are participating. In fact, the U.S. Air Force, JASDF (Japan Air Self-Defense Force) and the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) deployed their F-35As, while the U.S. Marine Corps deployed its STOVL (Short Take-Off Vertical Landing) F-35Bs.
The exercise took place between Feb. 3 and Feb. 21, 2025, and practiced sophisticated air combat tactics and strategies using the fifth generation fighter. Cope North 25 also marks the 45th edition of the exercise, since it debuted in 1978 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, before relocating to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, in 1999.
Naval & Air-Force units from Australia, Japan, the Philippines & USA joined for the #CopeNorth25 exercise in the #IndoPacific, to uphold freedom of navigation & support regional stability. pic.twitter.com/xTolyqRzHV
— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) February 13, 2025
Aircraft involved
The exercise involved a RAAF contingent of 275 aviators, eight F-35As, a KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and an E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft, said the Australian Ministry of Defence. The RAAF continent reached Andersen AFB on Jan. 31. The Ministry also added that the U.S. Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), USMC and JASDF participated with approximately 85 F-35As and F-35Bs in total.
Based on the images shared on the DVIDS network, the JASDF deployed at least five F-35As, an E-2D Hawkeye and a KC-46 aerial refueler. The USMC F-35Bs were assigned to the VMFA-121 (Marine Fighter Attack Squadron-121) under the MAG-12 (Marine Aircraft Group-12) within the broader 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), according to the photos
🇺🇸 – 🇦🇺 – 🇯🇵 #CopeNorth25 marks the first time @USAirForce, @JASDF_PAO_ENG, and @AusAirForce have deployed their F-35A Lightning II fighters alongside @usmc’ F-35B Lightning II. #Interoperability #Readiness #FreeandOpenIndoPacific #FriendsPartnersAllies@pacaf @pacificmarines pic.twitter.com/QFQeqXJbzI
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) February 20, 2025
A Marine Corps legacy F/A-18C and an F/A-18D Hornet has also been photographed, with the F/A-18D Hornet flown by Maj. Gen. William Swan, the commanding general of 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (2nd MAW). The F-35s flew as part of various formations of U.S., Japanese and Australian fourth and fifth generation aircraft during CN25, which also included RAAF E-7A Wedgetail, U.S Navy E/A-18G Growler, U.S. Air Force F-16CM.
#Marines In unity there is strength!@JASDF_PAO_ENG Self-Defense Force, @AusAirForce, and U.S. 4th and 5th generation aircraft fly in formation over the Pacific Ocean during exercise Cope North 25, Feb. 7, 2025.
📸 Cpl. Chloe Johnson pic.twitter.com/qroH8OKBvd
— 1st MAW Marines (@1stMAW_Marines) February 19, 2025
An interesting sighting was a U.S. Navy E/A-18G Growler from VAQ-131 (Electronic Attack Squadron-131) sporting the two new AN/ALQ-249 NGJ-MB (Next-Generation Jammer Mid-Band) pods on wing stations 3 and 9. NAVAIR disclosed on Jan. 6, 2025, that the NGJ/MB achieved IOC (Initial Operational Capability) in Dec. 2024, after it was first operationally deployed with the VAQ-133 “Wizards” squadron.
RAAF and U.S Marine Corps also moved ordnance to their respective aircraft, reflecting the significant logistical and ammunitioning goals of the exercise.
🇺🇸 A USN EA-18G assigned to the VAQ-131 takes flight during Cope North 25 at Andersen AFB, Guam, Jan. 29, 2025.
Note the two AN/ALQ-249 Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods on the mid-board wing stations (Station 3 & 9).
(📸/USAF photo by Airman 1st Class Tala Hunt) pic.twitter.com/YFDvSKRs8p
— Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) February 19, 2025
Combined F-35 networking and situational awareness warfare
The U.S. PACAF (Pacific Air Forces) led the CN25 exercise as a CAF/LFE (Combat Air Forces/Large Force Employment) “within a contemporary scenario” to prepare the trilateral fifth generation fighter force for a “future conflict.” This would be a reference to the high-end war that could erutpt in the Pacific with China.
“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, in a Feb. 19 statement. “The airspace here is unrestrictive, and the amount of time we are able to spend tackling problems together is a fantastic experience.”
“The number one goal of Cope North 25 is the integration of the F-35 tactics between the three nations, Japan, Australia and the United States,” added 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.”
The goal mentioned by Schuck is an important one, because using the same aircraft type does not guarantee automatic interoperability, since each of the air forces “operates in a unique way.” Trilateral integration exercises such as CN25 assists in achieving that goal and homogenizing the way the assets are used.
🇺🇸 – 🇦🇺 – 🇯🇵 #CopeNorth25 marks the first time @USAirForce, @JASDF_PAO_ENG, and @AusAirForce have deployed their F-35A Lightning II fighters alongside @usmc’ F-35B Lightning II. #Interoperability #Readiness #FreeandOpenIndoPacific #FriendsPartnersAllies@pacaf @pacificmarines pic.twitter.com/QFQeqXJbzI
— U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (@INDOPACOM) February 20, 2025
Different air forces have their own operational, flight, logistical, ground crew maintenance, administrative and combat tactics practices, besides terminologies and parlance, which need to be uniform to be interoperable with others. Base familiarization and strategic level coordination between the senior commanders – who attended and oversaw the exercise – is also key.
A pre-established military goal, albeit loose and broadly consensual, helps quickly draw finer tactical and operational plans in the event of a war. However, refining TTPs (Tactics Training and Procedures) between the F-35s from different nations would be vital, with a view to maximize the jet’s famed and nearly unparalleled networking, data processing and sensor fusion capability.
Andersen AFB is also presently hosting the first BTF (Bomber Task Force) deployment of 2025, BTF 25-1, with four B-1B Lancers of the 34th Bomb Squadron from Ellsworth AFB in South Dakota. So far no images of the F-35s flying with the “BONE” have emerged.
🇯🇵🇺🇸🇦🇺joint exercise #CopeNorth25 .
Each member is fulfilling his or her responsibilities and making efforts to maximize the exercise.#CN25#FreeAndOpenIndoPacific#FOIP pic.twitter.com/wd1QHzIqaj
— 航空総隊司令部 (@JASDF_adc_pao) February 20, 2025
F-35s before China
The F-35 series are looked at more as airborne tactical command posts, able to collect, analyze and disseminate data from various aerial, ground, sea and satellite assets to maintain a high situational awareness, as well as helping pilots and combatants to take optimal tactical decisions – and engage targets if the need arises. It does this with an array of its own optical and electronic sensors.
A Feb. 19 release on the CN25 said the F-35 “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.” Almost all U.S. Air Force statements, releases and photo captions since the F-35 was first introduced broadly describe the same tactical orientation.
While the F-35 can considerably enhance the striking and situational awareness power of non-fifth generation assets, like Gen. 4 and 4.5 F-16, F/A-18, F-15, Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, E/A-18G Growler and Saab Gripens while also connecting ground formations, teaming with other F-35s exponentially amplifies and multiplies the threat an all-stealth formation can bring to bear.
🇺🇸🇯🇵🇦🇺U.S., Japanese, and Australian forces train together at the 36th Wing, Andersen AFB, Guam, enhancing 5th-gen integration, combat readiness, and interoperability in #CopeNorth25. They refine shared tactics and strengthen deterrence. More on #CN25 ⬇️
🔗https://t.co/1C24RKMR0i pic.twitter.com/gZGBUIQbK4
— PACAF (@PACAF) February 10, 2025
Also, the industrial disadvantage before China in rapidly rolling out stealth fighters necessitates to rely on the F-35’s networking and stealth, rather than its strike functions, as there is no saying how fast U.S. aircraft factories can replenish lost numbers. The first such combined exercises between Japanese, Australian and American F-35s should therefore be seen in this light.
