Cope Taufan & Teak Mint 2014

Both Cope Taufan and Teak Mint 2014 exercises are held biennially between the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the US Air Force (USAF). This year, the exercises began between June 6-20. Three bases were used throughout the event including the Butterworth Airbase, Subang Airbase as well as Kuantan Airbase.

Onboard USAF C-17 conducting CDS Tac Sortie over the state of Pahang, Malaysia. 

Both exercises were held together for the first time, aiming at optimising assets deployment from both forces. Among the objectives of both exercises were to enhance two way procedures as well as to gain better understanding of joint operation for both forces.

For 2014, America's most capable air-to-air fighters were deployed to take part, and sending the “Raptor” to Malaysia fired a strong message to potential foes and allies throughout the region. The USAF deployed its F-22 fleet to Malaysia for the first time, marking its first combat appearance in Southeast Asia. The presence of the F-22 and F-15 fleet has allowed both sides to conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Tactic (DACT) and Combined Air Operations.

Raptor-Eagle line up of the USAF. Both went against RMAF fleet of SU-30MKM, Mig-29N, Hornets and Hawks.

The exercises combined have become the largest event held so far by the RMAF, which saw the participation of 1,000 personnel from both forces. Among other elements practiced during the exercises were electronic warfare, search and rescue as well as simulated commandos operation. Although the exercises focused on the RMAF participation, the Army as well as Navy also took part in the event.

It is one thing developing and testing such tactics back in the US against aggressor squadrons that mimic the operations and aircraft of potential enemies, and a whole other thing testing those procedures against a totally unique air arm that possess the real adversary gear in question and intimately knows its advantages and disadvantages.

Lt Gen Russel J Handy USAF photographed here together with Maj Gen Dato Sri Affendi Buang RMAF.

This exercise has been a good opportunity for the USAF to test the Raptor-Eagle air dominance team, and the tactics that have been developed in relation to it, against a highly diverse and leading-edge foe.