Andersen AFB, Guam—Cope North is putting partnership into practice as a real demonstration of the Asia-Pacific pivot. Japan is a long-time player in Cope North. This year, the Japan Air Self Defense Force brought F-15MJs, F-2 fighters, and E-2C Hawkeye command and control aircraft. Joining Cope North for the first time is the Royal Australian Air Force. RAAF F/A-18F “Rhinos,” along with the air arm’s new Wedgetail radar surveillance airplane and RAAF C-130s, are on the ramp here. “The face-to-face time is invaluable,” said Wing Cmdr. Murray Jones, commanding officer of RAAF’s No. 1 Squadron. Air Force and RAAF units are also working hand-in-hand in a humanitarian-assistance and disaster-relief scenario at an expeditionary location near Guam’s Northwest Field. The work pairs the two air arms in operations ranging from expeditionary communications, airfield opening, medical response, airdrops, and construction. Guam is “the only sovereign US soil in this part of the world,” noted Col. Randy Kaufman, commander of Andersen’s 36th Operations Group, which is hosting Cope North. That makes it “a good place for all three” nations to come together, he said.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
