Approximately 500 airmen and 21 combat aircraft are scheduled to participate in Cope Tiger 2010 that kicks off March 1 at Korat and Udon Thani Royal Thai Air Force Bases. This iteration of the annual multilateral air exercise runs through March 12. The Air Force plans to send A-10, C-17, C-130, E-3 AWACS, and F-15 aircraft. Joining the US presence will be roughly 1,100 members of the Royal Thai Air Force and Army, and the Republic of Singapore Air Force with their aircraft and air defense units. Like all Cope Tiger exercises, this meeting will include humanitarian and civic assistance activities. (JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii report)
All of the U.S. military services are pursuing capabilities to complement GPS amid concerns that the constellation is increasingly vulnerable to interference, but a new government watchdog report calls for better coordination and prioritization among those efforts to avoid delays and duplication.
