Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure (Koku-Jieitai, JASDF) Airmen spent three days coaching alongside fifteenth Wing Airmen, strengthening partnerships and familiarizing each forces with the Kawasaki C-2 and C-17 Globemaster III. This was the primary bilateral coaching train between the 535th Airlift Squadron and the JASDF (Ok-J) 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron with the principle goal of flying in a formation and finishing an airdrop mission. The 2 squadrons flew orientation sorties to familiarize aircrews from every power on the capabilities of each plane and the completely different processes of every crew. The joint coaching elevated operational ideas and capabilities and superior communication, transparency, and shared values and pursuits, strengthening partnerships for future conditions.

A Kawasaki C-2 from the 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron flies in a formation throughout a bilateral coaching train with the 535th Airlift Squadron across the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

“That is the primary ever train of a C-17 and JASDF (Ok-J) C-2 plane. It’s symbolic for us to fly collectively in the identical sky on the similar time, because it not solely strengthens our alliance, but additionally improves interoperability,” mentioned JASDF Lt. Col. Motofumi Suzuki, 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron commander.

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“Sturdy bilateral relationships like that of the U.S. and Japan are important to cultivating our potential to assist one another throughout the Indo-Pacific,” mentioned U.S. Air Pressure Col. Keith Younger, fifteenth Wing vice commander. “This has been a terrific alternative for the fifteenth Wing crew to share our capabilities, strengthen partnerships and advance joint interoperability.”

Members from the U.S. Air Force 535th Airlift Squadron and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron pose for a photo after a flight during a bilateral training exercise around the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022.
Members from the U.S. Air Pressure 535th Airlift Squadron and the Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron pose for a photograph after a flight throughout a bilateral coaching train across the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

The Kawasaki C-2 is a mid-size, twin-turbofan engine, lengthy vary, excessive pace navy transport plane developed and manufactured by Kawasaki Aerospace Firm. In June 2016, the C-2 formally entered service with the Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure (JASDF). The Kawasaki C-2 can carry payloads as much as 4 instances heavier, akin to MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile batteries and Mitsubishi H-60 helicopters, and possesses six instances the vary. Whereas sharing fuselage parts with the Kawasaki P-1, the fuselage of the C-2’s is considerably bigger to accommodate an unlimited inner cargo deck, which is furnished with an automatic loading/unloading system to cut back workloads on personnel and floor tools.The C-2 is supplied with a full glass cockpit, fly-by-wire flight controls, a high-precision navigation system, and self safety programs.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Andrew Girard, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, briefs two members of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (Koku-Jieitai) during a training exercise around the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022.
U.S. Air Pressure Senior Airman Andrew Girard, 535th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, briefs two members of the Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure (Koku-Jieitai) throughout a coaching train across the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27, 2022. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)

The McDonnell Douglas/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III is a big navy transport plane that was developed for the USA Air Pressure (USAF) from the Nineteen Eighties to the early Nineteen Nineties by McDonnell Douglas. The C-17 carries ahead the identify of two earlier piston-engined navy cargo plane, the Douglas C-74 Globemaster and the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II. The C-17 generally performs tactical and strategic airlift missions, transporting troops and cargo all through the world; further roles embody medical evacuation and airdrop duties. The C-17 is designed to function from runways as quick as 3,500 ft (1,100 m) and as slender as 90 ft (27 m). The C-17 also can function from unpaved, unimproved runways. The thrust reversers can be utilized to maneuver the plane backwards and reverse path on slender taxiways utilizing a three- (or extra) level flip.

Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-2 and US Air Force C-17 Conduct First Bilateral Airlift Exercise
Members from the U.S. Air Pressure 535th Airlift Squadron and the Japan Air Self-Protection Pressure 403rd Tactical Airlift Squadron pose for a photograph after a flight throughout a bilateral coaching train across the Hawaiian Islands, Sept. 27,2022. (U.S. Air Pressure picture by Senior Airman Makensie Cooper)