During two weeks in February, VAQ-136 joined U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) squadrons in the annual joint and bilateral exercise known as Cope North.  In addition to the Gauntlets, this iteration of the yearly exercise included JASDF F-2s from the 6th Squadron, Tsuiki Air Base and E-2Cs from the 601st Squadron, Misawa Air Base.

Also participating were USAF F-16s from the 18th Aggressor Squadron, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, and B-52s that are currently deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, from the 20th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron, Barksdale AFB, La.

This year’s detachment also served as the Gauntlets’ bi-annual tactical evaluation, more formally known as Electronic Warfare Advanced Readiness Program (EWARP). 

The squadron prepared for this intense period of flying by undergoing a week of academic lectures back at NAF Atsugi in January, taught by visiting instructors from the Electronic Attack Weapons School (EAWS) and subject matter experts from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. EAWS also sent three instructors to Guam for the airborne portion of EWARP.

Cope North is one of the longest running exercises in the Pacific Rim Operating Area. The first Cope North took place in 1978 in Misawa, Japan, while Guam has hosted the last eleven.

This year marked the fifth time that JASDF participants were able to drop live ordnance for training.  The overall focus of this year’s exercise was to coordinate, plan and successfully execute missions incorporating the various challenges that are presented when VAQ-136 works with other services and countries.

In addition to sorties flown in support of the exercise, 100 percent of Gauntlet aircrew flew against F-16 aggressors for Basic Fighter Maneuver Counters (BFMC) training. A few Gauntlets also had the opportunity to fly in the back of an F-16 during a BFMC training flight against the Prowler.

One of those selected was Lt. Joey Garbitelli, Gauntlet pilot and Landing Signal Officer.

“I finally had situational awareness to the entire engagement while in the F-16,” said Garbitelli. “Normally in the Prowler I can’t see anything during the fight.”

With just three jets, the Gauntlet team completed 42 of 42 scheduled sorties, 22 of which were Prowler Weapons and Tactics Program syllabus events. 

The Gauntlets also flew several large force exercise missions with a visiting F-22 Raptor squadron, enabling Gauntlet aircrew to learn the intricacies of supporting the Air Force’s newest and most capable fighter.

Two Gauntlets were recognized at the completion of Cope North for top performance. One was Garbitelli for his professional briefing and execution in the jet. Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class (AW) Tim Mingle was also recognized for keeping the jets in combat-ready condition every day.

“Cope North is a realistic exercise for today’s fight,” said Lt. Ben Reust, “I learned how to effectively employ my Prowler in concert with my sisters and brothers in the Air Force, even if there was no ship to drive here in Tumon Bay!”