Troops from the Philippine Air Force (PAF), together with their counterparts from the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), started on Monday, April 7, the first joint military exercise between allies with the launch of Cope Thunder Philippines 2025 (CT PH 25-1) at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga.
PAF chief Lieutenant General Arthur Cordura and Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander of PACAF, Major General Christopher Sheppard, led the opening ceremony of the exercises that will be held until April 18 across different training areas in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac.
This year’s Cope Thunder exercises will feature more than 700 PAF personnel and aircraft, including the FA-50, A-29B Super Tucano, S-76A, and S-70i Blackhawk helicopters, while PACAF will deploy 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets.
Among the highlights of the exercise is the PAF’s FA-50s flying alongside PACAF’s F-16s for field training exercises on maneuvers and tactics.
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo announced recently that the FA-50s have been cleared to fly again less than a month after a fatal crash in Bukidnon killed two pilots.
She said the investigation ruled out mechanical problems and that the crash was due to “inherent risks” during night flying, among other factors.
“We emphasize that this mishap was caused by many factors that interpellate. Let us be very clear based on the data that was extraced and assessed, there was no technical or mechanical problem that caused this mishap,” Castillo explained.
Other activities of the exercise include Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) covering a wide range of domains, including fighter and close air support operations, helicopter operations, cybersecurity, communications, aircraft maintenance, logistics, security, and medical services.
PAF stated that CT PH 25-1 marks a key milestone in enhancing joint operational readiness and deepening defense ties between the Philippines and the United States, contributing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and capability development efforts.
Representatives from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Indonesian Air Force are also joining the exercises as observers under the International Observer Program.
After CT PH 25-1, Philippine and US troops will also be conducting Exercise Balikatan 40-2025 in different areas from April 21 to May 5.
