The joint Cope Thunder exercise between the Philippines and the United States officially began on Monday, April 7, at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
According to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the bilateral exercise, sponsored by the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), is dubbed Cope Thunder Philippines 25-1. The exercise will last for two weeks, concluding on April 18.
A total of 729 personnel from the Philippine Air Force are participating, including four FA-50PH fighter jets, three A-29B Super Tucanos, one S-76A helicopter, and one S-Huey. On the US side, around 250 PACAF personnel will join the exercise, along with 12 F-16 fighter jets.
In addition, counterparts from Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia will participate through the international observer program.
The exercises will take place at various locations in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga; and Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
In a statement, the PAF emphasized that the aim of this year’s Cope Thunder exercise is to develop asymmetric warfare capabilities for force projection and area denial, enhance conventional capabilities to ensure air superiority, improve cooperation with international and security partners for better operational coordination, readiness, effectiveness, and strategic deterrence, and ultimately increase operational readiness and the effectiveness of mission execution.
