７８年１１月に最初の「ガイドライン」が閣議了承された日、Cope Northと
いう空の日米共同演習が開始されました。これが日米共同演習の本格的スター
トでした。「北方の脅威」に備えて始まったこの演習も、今や第二次「ガイド
ライン」 の想定する「周辺事態」 対応の演習に変わりました。 今年はCope
North Guam '99と銘打って、航空自衛隊が初めてグアムに出張して５日間の演
習を行いました。
自衛隊の戦闘機が海外に派遣されたのは初めてですが、自衛隊の海外派兵演
習というよりは、「周辺事態」での米空軍への「出張サポートサービス」という
色彩が強いようです。 自衛隊からは三沢のE-2C２機、百里から６機のF-15Jが
参加、米軍は嘉手納から１機のE-3A(AWACS)と６機のF-15Cが参加。「これまで
のNorth Corpは日米別々の基地から展開して訓練していたが、今回は（グアム
のアンダーセン基地という）一つ屋根の下で交流したので双方の連携が密にな
った」と米空軍は評価しています。
恐らく、「周辺事態」で嘉手納が手薄になった時、自衛隊がその穴を埋め、
米空軍のサポートをする、そういうシナリオを描いているのでしょう。ただ訓
練場所が嘉手納では政治的に露骨なので、今回は「集合場所」を嘉手納にした。
サミットで各国首脳が嘉手納に降りる時に自衛隊も参加させてもらう。その準
備もあるかもしれません。また自衛隊には空中給油機導入の「必要性」（今回
は硫黄島で給油）をアピールする機会でもありました。
いずれにしても、今回のCope "North"が「周辺事態法成立記念式典」も兼ね
ていたのは間違いありません。
以下は、２５日に終了したこの演習の「成果」を伝えるAir Force News。
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AFPN electronic filename: 30jun99
991273. Cope North Guam gives Air Force, JASDF beneficial training
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- After five days of aerial combat
which saw both sides scoring "victories," Cope North Guam '99 came
to a
close June 25.
Surrounded by the four types of aircraft that flew during the exercise,
the
deployed members from the Air Force and the Japan air self-defense
force
gathered on the flightline to congratulate each other and thank the
base for
its support of the successful exercise.
The exercise was a test for the JASDF, since it marked the first time
it has
deployed a fighter unit outside Japan. It gave them the opportunity
to
experience what it was like to send a small group of fighters to another
location and sustain them for a period of time.
"This has been a challenging exercise from the start," said Capt. Randy
Koram, logistics director for Cope North Guam. "We started serious
planning
for this exercise back in October, and from there, it has been a constant
planning process. We had to work with (members of the JASDF)
on procedures,
how you deploy, phase timing the airlift support, and sustaining the
forces
once we got here. The Japanese were unfamiliar with how to do
this. We've
done a lot this week toward helping them see and learn how the Air
Force
does it."
Once the JASDF reached Guam, they got to work immediately toward the
primary
purpose of the exercise -- conducting training to enhance air operations
of
both countries' forces.
"The exercise went very well," said Capt. Dave Cool, an F-15 pilot from
the
12th Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Japan. "The Japanese
have been
very intense and (have been) learning, just like we have. Their
work ethic
and desire to learn has been outstanding. This by far was the
most fun Cope
North because of our chance to interact with them."
The bilateral interaction Cope North Guam provided was quite significant
compared to exercises in the past. Usually, Cope North exercises
are
conducted using more than one base. This has not always allowed
for the
one-on-one, face-to-face interaction before, during and after training
missions. However, with all the exercise participants deployed
to Guam, the
opportunities to further interact with counterparts has been significant.
"A very important side benefit of this event has been the informal dialogue
and exchange of information between (Air Force and JASDF members),"
said
Col. Stan Gorenc, 5th Air Force vice commander. Gorenc traveled
to Guam to
get a first-hand look at how the exercise was going.
"In all areas -- operational, administrative, support and maintenance
-- the
exchange of views and ideas has been of great benefit to both sides,"
he
said.
Cool added that it has brought the pilots of the two services closer
together.
"It's pretty important (to train together)," the pilot said. "We're
deployed here together, working together and living in the same dorms.
We've been able to interact with them quite a bit. The camaraderie
has
really developed between us."
And while the size of the exercise has been small, its importance to
the
JASDF has been significant. A key element for them has been the
support of
the 36th Air Base Wing here.
"I greatly appreciate all the members of Andersen Air Force Base (Guam)
and
what they've done for us," said Col. Shigeru Iwasaki, JASDF Cope North
Guam
exercise director. "Andersen had everything we needed for this
exercise.
Their support to us was outstanding."
The last phase for the JASDF in learning about deployments was June
27.
That's when the E-2C Hawkeyes and F-15J Eagles begin their journey
back to
their home bases in Japan via Iwo Jima island. The last of the
JASDF forces
will depart Guam June 29. The Air Force aircraft returned to
Kadena June
26. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)
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****************************
Masahiko Aoki
青木雅彦
btree@pop06.odn.ne.jp
****************************