Combat Generation Exercise reinforces trilateral partnerships among U.S., Japanese, Australian Allies Published May 20, 2024 By Airman 1st Class Patrick Boyle 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 35th Fighter Wing conducted the first ever trilateral Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) with munitions specialists from the Pacific Air Forces, Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 6 to 9 May, 2024. U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members construct munitions during a Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2024. This iteration of CAPEX was the first iteration held at Misawa Air Base since 1993 and the first iteration ever to be conducted alongside two partner nations in support of the Department of the Air Force’s modernization for Great Power Competition. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Boyle) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S., Australian and Japanese service members exchanged mission knowledge and operated around the clock to build and generate approximately 1,100 munitions within 80 hours. During the exercise, participants focused on building munitions on a large scale, in both deployed and home station environments. CAPEX heavily emphasizes readiness, ensuring that Airmen and partners possess the knowledge, skills and experience to rapidly build, transport and deploy bombs in the event of wartime operations. This exercise, in particular, is extremely important as we establish and deepen our interoperability with our partners. Working closely with our partners during exercises like CAPEX increases the security of the Indo-Pacific region. said U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Szekeres, CAPEX 2024 lead evaluator International cooperation not only strengthens interoperability but also allows participants to learn from one another and build camaraderie. Through the four day exercise, U.S. Airmen had the opportunity to see how the JASDF and RAAF approach bomb building and pick up tips and tricks from them, enhancing their skills and knowledge. U.S. Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force members construct munitions together during a Combat Ammunition Production Exercise (CAPEX) at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2024. Exercises like CAPEX enable Pacific Air Forces personnel to test various unit readiness capabilities alongside allies and partners, strengthening interoperability and adaptability for Agile Combat Employment strategies across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Antwain Hanks) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res The exercise focused on building Guided Bomb Units (GBUs) and other munitions en masse highlighted the critical role of munitions specialists in producing sustained combat air power in any scenario. “Participants will walk away with more bomb-building skills and ACE concepts, or the ability to build on the fly with little to no equipment or support,” said Staff Sgt. Sean Davila, Conventional Maintenance Crew Chief. “Our biggest challenge is when we go out to bare bones bases and work with what we have, making quick adjustments to get the job done.” CAPEX not only proves that the 35th FW is ready and capable of engaging in large-scale munitions production, but also working alongside the JASDF and RAAF demonstrates that the U.S. Air Force is not alone in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force members work side by side to build munitions during Combat Ammunition Production Exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 8, 2024. Participating members practiced building bombs in both a home station and an expeditionary environment, showcasing Agile Combat Employment concepts designed to elevate Pacific Air Forces and partners’ adaptability for great power competition throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Patrick Boyle) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res “The skills we’re working on here at CAPEX with PACAF and JASDF personnel are going to help us in working together in an alliance and help keep a rules-based order,” said Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer Timothy Duke, armament technician and detachment commander. “For Australia, in our area of the Pacific south of the Equator, that's very important to us. We’re here to learn how to support our allies in an alliance and hopefully, we can continue to do that.” Through exercises like CAPEX, the 35th FW embodies the importance of readiness and international cooperation, demonstrating that Airmen are not only prepared for various contingencies, but also are capable of working alongside partner nations in combat operations anytime and anywhere. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Logo