Allied F-35 Pilots Sharpen Multi-Domain Tactics..

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam --  Leveraging the F-35 Emulated Non-Operational Flight Program Integrated Experience (FENIX) simulator, Pacific Air Forces this month hosted back-to-back virtual exercises Cope Lightning 26-2 with the Royal Australian Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force and Cope Lightning 26-3 with the Republic of Korea Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force to bolster multilateral combat readiness across the Pacific.  

"Cope Lightning delivers an unmatched simulation environment where our F-35 and fifth-generation warriors can rehearse complex, theater-specific scenarios," said Col. William Yoakley, commander of the Pacific Air Warfare Center. "We're able to bring in all of our Pacific F-35 allies and partners under a single roof to brief, execute, and debrief together in a way that just cannot be done in the real world during peacetime operations." 

During both exercise iterations, pilots executed tactical missions including cruise missile defense and the suppression of enemy air defenses—scenarios that are structurally and logistically difficult to replicate through live flying alone. The virtual architecture integrates command and control systems directly, allowing multinational pilots to conduct real-time radio and data link communications with geographically separated controllers, ensuring tactical integration is fully tested from the cockpit to the command center. 

“As we look to take delivery of our first F-35, it has been very insightful for the RSAF to work alongside the USAF and ROKAF,” said RSAF Maj. Julian Low, head of the next-generation fighter project office, RSAF Headquarters. “Sharing best practices on F-35 tactics and drilling repetitions together allows us to work more effectively.” 

The exercise’s focus on integration allows diverse teams to merge their skills and build a common tactical baseline. Operating under a shared weapons system and common tactical guidelines, pilots from the partner nations seamlessly integrated their flight formations.  
 
This focus on building relationships is what ultimately forges a lethal fighting force, Yoakley explained.  

"When you do end up in the real world in a mixed, multinational formation, no matter who the pilot is or what country they're from, everyone understands the situation, understands the tactical decisions that are being made, and has trust in the flight leads," he said.