About 200 members of Japan's Air Self-Defense Forces are in Alaska for exercises that include low-level flying, in-air refueling and cargo air drops.

The U.S. military's Pacific Command said Tuesday the drills also include landings on incompletely prepared runways. It said the Japanese airmen have few opportunities to practice low-level flying in their densely populated homeland.

Pacific Command said the Japanese flyers have brought three C-130 Hercules aircraft, an airborne warning and control aircraft and two refuelers to the Alaskan air base for the drills.

The command quoted officials as saying the exercise has helped to build military cohesion between the two countries.