F-2 makes live bomb debut during exercise
by Marine Cpl. Ashleigh Bryant
Det. 10, Air Force News Agency
6/15/2007 - ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- "Hands-on" took
on real meaning for members of the Japan Air Self Defense Force as
F-2 support fighter pilots dropped the first live weapons from the
fighter here June 13 as part of Exercise Cope North.
As there is no live range in Japan, the F-2 pilots used this
opportunity to practice with live weapons at the Farralon de
Medinilla range, 160 nautical miles northeast of Andersen.
"This is the first deployment of the F-2, and also ... it will be
the first delivery of weapons from the F-2, which is a big deal,
it's only the third delivery of live weapons in the last sixty
years," said Col. Michael MacWilliam, U.S. Director for Cope
North.
Cope North is focused on the security and defense of Japan through
air operations. The pilots fly sorties in what are called
"defensive Japan scenarios," which help prepare U.S. and JASDF
pilots should they ever be called on to protect Japan.
228 JASDF personnel from Misawa Air Base and Fuchu Air Station,
Japan, are taking part in the Cope North, which will run until June
22. Eight of these aircraft along with 150 personnel deployed from
Misawa Air Base, Japan, to take part in the exercise. They are
scheduled to complete 124 of the 346 anticipated sorties.
The Mitsubishi F-2 is the result of a joint Japan and U.S.
development program which began in 1987 as a way to replace the
Mitsubishi F-1.
http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123057339
