空自と米空軍が共同訓練　北ミサイル発射受け、けん制

　防衛省は１９日、日本海上空で航空自衛隊の戦闘機と米空軍の爆撃機などが参加する共同訓練を実施したと発表した。北朝鮮が１８日に大陸間弾道ミサイル（ＩＣＢＭ）を発射したことを受け、日米同盟の結束や対応力を示し、北朝鮮をけん制する狙いがあるとみられる。
　防衛省によると、訓練には空自のＦ１５戦闘機３機と米空軍のＢ１爆撃機２機、Ｆ１６戦闘機４機が参加。共同飛行や連携手順の確認などをしたという。
　同省は「日本を取り巻く安全保障環境がより一層厳しさを増す中、日米の即応態勢を確認するとともに、日米同盟の抑止力を一層強化した」としている。（2023/02/19-21:53）

The Japanese Air Self-Defense Force and the U.S. Air Force conducted a joint drill over the Sea of Japan on Sunday, following North Korea's intercontinental ballistic missile firing the previous day, Japan's Defense Ministry said.
   The drill was apparently aimed at demonstrating the solidarity and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance, and keeping a check on Pyongyang.
   Three F-15 fighter jets of the ASDF, and two B-1 bombers and four F-16 fighters of the U.S. Air Force conducted joint flights and confirmed procedures for coordinated operations, according to the ministry.
   The exercise reaffirmed "the strong will" of Japan and the United States "to respond to any situation" and "the readiness" of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces and the U.S. military, and further strengthened the deterrence and response capabilities of the Japan-U.S. alliance amid "an increasingly severe security environment surrounding Japan," the ministry said.
   The North Korean ICBM launched Saturday fell into waters within Japan's exclusive economic zone in the Sea of Japan.