Article updated: 2/7/2013 9:41 AM

Jets roar as U.S., Japan, Australia drill in Pacific

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Associated Press An Australian fighter jet is prepared for a training mission as a Japanese aerial refueling plane sits on a runway at the Cope North military exercises at Andersen Air Force Base on the U.S. island of Guam Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013.

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Associated Press Japanese Lt. Gen. Masayuki Hironaka, U.S. Pacific Air Forces commander Gen. Herbert Carlisle and Royal Australian Air Force Air Commodore Anthony Grady speak to the media at Andersen Air Force Base on the island of Guam to kick off the beginning of the Cope North military exercises.

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Fighter jets from the U.S. and two key allies roared into western Pacific skies Thursday in the combat phase of annual exercises that have gained importance as the region responds to the rise of China and other potential threats.