Tokyo: Air forces of Japan and the United States have conducted a joint tactical exercise above the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan to train formation and navigation, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) said on Friday.
“The JASDF and the US Force conducted a bilateral training mission to enhance deterrence and response capabilities of Japan-US Alliance,” the statement read.
The training took place on Wednesday. It involved eight F-15 and four F-2 fighter jets on Japan’s side and two B-1 strategic bombers on the US side, according to the statement.
Joint aviation training exercises between Japan and the US have been taking place for the second consecutive week now. Experts in Japan believe their aim is to have a deterrent effect on China and Russia, whose military aircraft have recently been patrolling their borders.
