RTAF Welcomes F-35s for “Cope Tiger 2024” Exercise

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) at Wing 1 in Nakhon Ratchasima province welcomed the inaugural squadron of four F-35 jets from Alaska, marking the commencement of preparations for the upcoming “Cope Tiger 2024” exercise. This exercise, a collaborative effort among the air forces of Thailand, Singapore, and the United States, aims to bolster regional cooperation and enhance military readiness.

Originally initiated in 1983 in the Philippines, the “Cope Tiger” exercise has undergone several transformations, including bilateral agreements such as “Air ThaiSing” and “Cope Thunder.” Relocated to Thailand in 1995 due to extenuating circumstances in the Philippines, the exercise has since been known as “Cope Tiger.”

Scheduled to occur from March 18 to 29, this year’s iteration of the exercise will encompass field training across various airfields in Nakhon Ratchasima, Lopburi, and Udon Thani. Additionally, “Cope Tiger 2024” will feature civil affairs and cultural exchanges, with special events slated at Ban Krok Duean Ha School in Nakhon Ratchasima on March 21 and at the Chai Badan Air Weapons Training Range in Lopburi on March 26.

The RTAF eagerly awaits the arrival of four additional F-35s, which will complete an eight-aircraft squadron for the multinational exercise, further underscoring the significance of this collaborative endeavor in bolstering regional defense capabilities.