Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Barker, 909th Air Refueling Squadron boom operator, delivers fuel to a 44th Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle during Exercise Southern Beach, over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 15, 2022. Bilateral training builds trusting relationships among foreign and domestic forces and ensures the 18th Wing and host-nation allies are able to come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

Japan Air Self-Defense Force personnel prep an F-15J for take off in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. Exercise Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise that enhances interoperability by providing the opportunity for 18th Wing and JASDF units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Pulter)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J takes off in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. Exercise Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise that enhances interoperability with the opportunity for 18th Wing and Japan Air Self-Defense Force units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Pulter)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15s are prepped for take-off in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, Sept. 16, 2022. Exercises like Southern Beach allow U.S. and Japanese Airmen to routinely train together to enhance bilateral interoperability in support of the defense of Japan while securing a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephen Pulter)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

An F-15C Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron departs after receiving aerial refueling while flying in support of Exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 15, 2022. Exercise Southern Beach is part of a continual effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nations, building a partnership that can effectively operate high-end missions in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

An F-15C Eagle assigned to the 44th Fighter Squadron approaches a KC-135 Stratotanker to receive aerial refueling while flying in support of Exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 15, 2022. Bilateral training builds trusting relationships among foreign and domestic forces and ensures the 18th Wing and host-nation allies are able to come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

U.S. Air Force Maj. Daniel Ha and Capt. Jessica Wallander, 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker pilots, review the flight plan prior to a refueling mission in support of Exercise Southern Beach at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Sept. 15, 2022. Exercise Southern Beach is part of a continual effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nations, building a partnership that can effectively operate high-end missions in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jessi Roth)

Exercise Southern Beach strengthens bilateral partnerships

Published Sept. 20, 2022
By Senior Airman Jessi Roth
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --