Joint RMAF-USAF exercise brings Raptors

A USAF F-15 lands at RMAF Butterworth during Exercise Cope Taufan 2014. Photo: Dzirhan Mahadzir

The US Air Force’s most advanced fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, saw “action” for the first time in South-East Asia in this year’s biennial Cope Taufan joint exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

More than 40 aircraft were involved in Cope Taufan 2014, which took place from June 9 to 20 (see graphic). It was the biggest such exercise to date and also saw the deployment of a home-grown, purpose-built Command and Control System which proved well up to the complex task.