Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron soars in the air space above Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, as it departs for Malaysia in support of Cope Taufan 23, Sept. 18, 2023. CTFN23 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral routine training event conducted in Malaysia with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. PACAF has collaborated with RMAF since early the 1980s and has continued to strengthen ties, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron takes off from the flightline as it heads toward Malaysia in support of Cope Taufan 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2023. CTFN23 is a bilateral routine training event with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, where an estimated 220 U.S. personnel will participate alongside cargo aircraft, fighter jets, and similar aircraft under the RMAF. CTFN23 is intended to improve U.S. and Malaysian readiness while reinforcing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s theater security campaign goals in southeast Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron prepare to taxi the runway for takeoffs as part of Cope Taufan 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2023. CTFN23 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored routine bilateral training exercise conducted in Malaysia with the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The exercise is intended to improve U.S. and Malaysian readiness while reinforcing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s theater security campaign goals in southeast Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron is marshalled out of its hangar as it prepares for departure to Malaysia in support of Cope Taufan 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2023. As a bilateral tactical airlift training exercise, CTFN23 provides an opportunity for U.S. Air Force and Royal Malaysia Air Force members to work closely together to improve the nations’ abilities to integrate combat air force capabilities. CTFN23 is intended to improve U.S. and Malaysian readiness while reinforcing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s theater security campaign goals in southeast Asia. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron prepares for departure to Malaysia in support of Cope Taufan 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2023. During the exercise, U.S. service members teamed up with the Royal Malaysian Air Force to demonstrate the U.S. capability to project forces strategically while emphasizing interoperability, security cooperation and capacity building with a partner nation. Pacific Air Forces has collaborated with RMAF since the early 1980s and has continued to strengthen ties, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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Osan F-16s depart for bilateral Cope Taufan 23 support

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Corey Farrer, 36th Fighter Squadron pilot, climbs into the cockpit of a F-16 Fighting Falcon after being prepared by Airman 1st Class Jesus Gerardo, 36th Fighter Generation Squadron crew chief, before departing to Malaysia in support of Cope Taufan 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 18, 2023. CTFN23 is a bilateral routine training exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, where an estimated 220 U.S. personnel will participate alongside cargo aircraft, fighter jets, and similar aircraft under the RMAF. Pacific Air Forces has collaborated with RMAF since the early 1980s and has continued to strengthen ties, demonstrating the U.S. commitment to peace and stability in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsea J. Caballero)

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36th FS participates in CTFN23

Published Oct. 13, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Chase Verzaal
51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --

Cope Taufan, a bilateral training event between the United States Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, has recently concluded on Sept. 29th, 2023. This regularly scheduled training event continues to grow partnerships by enhancing shared interests of security, stability and free access to the Indo-Pacific.

CTFN23 occurred from Sept. 18th through the 29th, and included participation from members of the 36th Fighter Squadron. This training event aimed to demonstrate the ability of the U.S. and Malaysia to strategically employ allied forces in Indo-Pacific airspace. The event emphasized the cooperation between the nations who participated while enhancing overall interoperability.

“This training event was our first integration with the Malaysian Air Force since 2019 and was significant in the groundwork for future cooperation with Malaysian forces," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Lawrence Dagostino, 36th FS operations supervisor. "It demonstrated our willingness and desire to continue”.

CTFN23 was Pacific Air Forces-sponsored and took place at Malaysian Air Force bases TUDM Butterworth and TUDM Subang, according to a press release from 7th Air Force. The training that took place practiced air-to-air capabilities of both nations, in addition to overall flight support. The opportunity to train bilaterally allowed both nations the opportunity to gain unique training experiences.

“This was the first time that many of our pilots had to witness unfamiliar basic flight maneuvers and train with non-American fighter platforms," said Dagostino.

The training involved approximately 220 U.S. personnel, where they dedicated six consecutive days of flying and practicing maneuvering missions, followed by four days of planning and executing large force training operations with Malaysian forces.

“I think any of us pilots who went would be comfortable flying with them again because of the time in Malaysia," said U.S. Air Force Capt. Christopher Brown, 36th FS pilot. "We understand what each country finds important in regard to flying and that will make future interoperability much smoother”.