F-16 Fighting Falcon News

March 31, 2025 (by MSgt. Jerilyn Quintanilla) - The U.S. Air Force 77th Fighter Squadron ‘Gamblers' have flown countless missions supporting numerous conflicts and exercises around the world for 107 years, making them one of the most storied flying units still operating. Today, they're bringing that knowledge and lethality to the Pacific theatre for Cope Tiger 25—a rare first in the unit's long history.
Exercise Cope Tiger was established in 1994 and over the years has evolved to match the needs and missions of three nations, the United States, Singapore, and Thailand. It retains the same key, time-tested purpose: providing participants with a platform to train and enhance tactics, techniques and procedures while simultaneously increasing interoperability and fostering relations amongst the partner nations.

"It's the 31st anniversary of doing this exercise but it's the first time for the 77th Fighter Squadron," said USAF Lt. Col. Steven McCord, 77th FS detachment commander. "We're looking to take a lot from our allies and partners, the Royal Thai Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force, because every time we train together we get a little bit better at integrating."

According to USAF Maj. Gregory Rinker, 77th FS pilot and USAF exercise project officer, "Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses" is the defining mission capability the ‘Gamblers' bring to the fight.

"For decades, the 77 FS has proudly carried the "Wild Weasel" mantle, consistently preparing to be the ‘first in, last out' force within any combat area of responsibility," Rinker said. "Our F-16s and pilots leverage their expanding capabilities and experience to not only achieve tactical objectives but also maximize interoperability with allied partners."

Out on the training range all three nations are not only testing their own capabilities, they're pushing one another to increase their abilities and limits.

"This is a very important exercise for the Republic of Singapore Air Force. It's the only event where we bring together all the different parts of our Air Force," said RSAF Col. Lee Yew Chern Benjamin, CT25 Exercise Director. "We come here to train with our partners, with the U.S. as well as Thailand in a very challenging and dynamic environment."

The ‘Gamblers' also participated in the recent Cobra Gold 2025 exercise held in Thailand, where they flew similar missions for regional security cooperation, promoted interoperability among participating nations, and practised new tactics with international partners never before seen at the event.

The amount of working practice in sorties flown and hours of mission planning are vital; but for Rinker, it is not the most rewarding part of CT25.

"The most rewarding aspect of these exercises is the opportunity to foster enduring relationships with our allies," Rinker said. "Collaboratively developing plans and then witnessing their tactical evolution through shared experiences builds confidence and trust between our nations for future operations."