Pilots from Malaysia and the US have joined forces for Cope Taufan 06—a three-week air-to-air training exercise, designed to sharpen air combat tactics and build closer relations between the Pacific allies. Cope Taufan—Taufan meaning “big storm” in Malaysian—is a biannual exercise by the Royal Malaysian Air Force, with this year’s installment including eight USAF F-15s and more than 114 maintainers, munition handlers, and pilots. The RMAF is participating with MiG-29 Fulcrums, Hawk 208s, and the F/A-18 Hornet.
With a shrinking fleet and growing operational demand, Air Force Special Operations Command sees the new OA-1K combat scout aircraft as key to a “new era,” officials say.