The Exercise Balikatan 2023, dubbed as the largest iteration of the joint military exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces, officially concluded on Friday, April 28, with an official saying it was a huge success. 

(Experts from the United States Army demonstrate to Filipino troops the specifications and capabilities of the Patriot missile system and its missile launcher during the Balikatan air and missile defense subject matter expert exchange [SMEE] at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command Center in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19, 2023. Photo by Philippine Air Force)

The closing ceremony of the 38^th iteration of the Balikatan was held at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Maj. Gen. Marvine Licudine, head of the AFP Education, Training, and Doctrine Command (ETDC) and Balikatan exercise director on the Philippine side, congratulated the 17,600 troops from the two countries, which is the largest number of participants since its inception in the 1990s, as they have successfully honed their skills and interoperability in various exercises such as command post, cyber defense, field trainings, and humanitarian assistance.

Now what’s next? Cope Thunder – Philippines 23-1, that’s what.

For the first time after three decades, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF) will revive the Cope Thunder exercises with primary flight operations over Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga. 

The Cope Thunder – Philippines 23-1 will take place from May 1 to 12, according to the US Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs.

Cope Thunder began in the Philippines in 1976 but it had to be stopped after the closure of military bases in Clark and Subic Bay in 1991. The following year, it was moved to the Eielson Air Force Base where it was renamed Red Flag Alaska.

“This is the first iteration of Cope Thunder in the Philippines since 1990. It provides a unique opportunity to integrate forces and improve interoperability between the Philippines and the United States,” the US Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said.

Approximately 160 USAF service members are expected to fly, maintain, and support more than 12 aircraft from its 35 Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan units during the iteration of the exercise. 

During the training, service members from the AFP will exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with their American counterparts.

Among the aircraft seen to be involved in the exercise are the USAF’s F-16 multirole fighters and the PAF’s FA-50 jet trainers.

“Cope Thunder Philippines is designed to provide bilateral fighter training with the Philippine Air Force and improve combined interoperability,” the US Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs said.