Two McDonnel Douglas F-15J “Eagle” jet fighters from Japan landed at Clark Air Base in Pampanga on Tuesday, Dec. 6, marking the first time that Japanese aircraft are in the country as part of the goodwill visit of top officials of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF).
The twin-engine, all-weather dedicated air superiority fighter jets were escorted by three FA-50 jets from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) as they performed a goodwill flight, Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Major Gen. Takahashi Hideo, vice commander of Western Air Defense Force of JASDF, graced the arrival of the F-15Js at Clark Air Base.
The deployment of the Japanese jets was integral to the development of the defense capabilities of PAF and JASDF through “unit-to-unit exchanges” that are aimed to promote mutual understanding and defense cooperation between the two air forces, Castillo explained.
In Taguig City, Gen. Izutsu Shunji, Chief of Staff of JASDF, visited the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) for a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of fallen Filipino soldiers.
Shunji was welcomed and escorted by Maj. Gen. Araus Robert Musico, PAF inspector general, to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where the Japanese official paid tribute and offered his prayers.
“The activities conducted are in line with the bilateral agreement between PAF and JASDF to deepen defense cooperation and strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries,” Castillo said.
Top officials of the JASDF began arriving in the country on Monday for a week-long goodwill visit. They have since conducted high-level meetings and subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) on aircraft maintenance, medical affairs, base defense (security), and field meteorology.