Australia, Japan and USA Joined its Tanker Fleet in Exercise Cope North 2025

26 Februari 2025

A RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft departs (photo: Aus MoD)

Tankers band together

Australian, Japanese and American refuelling aircraft have joined forces to feed thirsty fast jets in the skies above Guam. 

As part of Exercise Cope North, a task force of 10 tankers, including a Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport, have refuelled 64 fighter jets from the three nations. 

The biggest test of working together, however, was the two-week period known as the large force employment (LFE).

Over the LFE, the KC-30A had more than 100 visits to its refuelling strobes and boom, sharing more than 300 tonnes of fuel and sustaining 240 fast-jet flying hours. This is the equivalent effort of flying a 737 from Sydney to Melbourne, 80 times. 

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force KC-46A Pegasus departs for a refuelling mission (photo: Aus MoD)

KC-30A and 33 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant Sara explained how important working with the United States Air Force (USAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) was to developing and perfecting her skills.

“We have been working alongside both the USAF and JASDF tankers closely since day one, including flying, mission planning and supporting one another,” she said. 

“It has been a good opportunity to identify inefficiencies and streamline multinational operations.

“Participating in Exercise Cope North 25 has been particularly rewarding due to the number of assets involved in the mission planning and execution. It is uncommon to exercise with up to eight tanker aircraft in a single flight, yet we have proven with good communication and coordination it can be achieved seamlessly between all three nations.”

The standard crew for the KC-30A on Exercise Cope North 25 has five members – one captain, one co-pilot, two air-refuelling operators and one crew attendant. While one crew was flying, another crew was integrated into the planning cycle, assisting with the allocation of ground and airborne assets to successfully conduct the following day’s mission. 

A United States Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft departs (photo: Aus MoD)

Crew attendant Leading Aircraftwoman Chelsea explained how the exercise was key to developing her understanding of trilateral operations and how the KC-30A fitted into an integrated force.

“As a crew attendant on the KC-30A, my role is to provide high-quality service whilst ensuring the safety of passengers and crew on board,” she said.

“Exercise Cope North 25 has been a great opportunity for me to further develop my skillset, all while building connections that enhance our collective readiness and global partnership.”

The KC-30A, it’s crew and their trilateral partners are the key to long-range fast jet operations, a capability that is vital to ensuring stability and enhancing regional security in a vast Indo-Pacific region. 

(Aus MoD)