The Philippine Air Force (PAF) will join the United States Armed Forces (USAF) in the 10th iteration of the Bilateral Air Contingent Exchange-Philippines (BACE-P) from March 14 to 25 which will be held in different parts of Luzon.
Col. Maynard Mariano, PAF spokesperson, said the exercise will focus on a wide range of mission sets such as air-to-air engagement, base defense, air traffic navigations and integration coordination, and air battle management.
The participating troops will also conduct air defense command and control operations, radar and radio operations, and surface to air missile operation and deployment planning.
“The said activity by the PAF is being conducted yearly to strengthen the partnership between the two Air Forces and help build PAF’s capacity to address local and regional security concerns,” Mariano said.
“For twelve days, these units will be involved in one of the most rigorous air exercises being conducted between the two countries,” he added.
The activities will be conducted at the Basa Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga; Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac; and Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union.
For the PAF, the participating troops will be the 7th Fighter Squadron known as the “BULLDOGS” and the 105th Fighter Training Squadron known as the “BLACKJACKS.”
Meanwhile, the USAF sent their personnel from the 5th Fighter Wing along with support units to sustain their fighter operations.
As part of the preparation for the drills, 12 units of F-16 aircraft from the USAF’s 13th Fighter Squadron (PANTHERS) touched down at the Basa Air Base on Saturday, March 12.