Fighter and advanced trainer jets from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) have dominated the country’s skies for the launch of the Cope Thunder Philippines Exercise (CT Ph) 23-1 on Monday, May 1.
 

(FA-50 PH / File photo courtesy of Philippine Air Force)

Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said that the exercise involves F-16 fighter aircraft from the USAF and FA-50 advanced jet trainers and light combat aircraft from PAF.

Around 160 USAF service members and 400 PAF airmen have joined the drills which took place several days after the conclusion of the biggest iteration of the Exercise Balikatan.

“The exercise aims to provide an opportunity for PAF and PACAF [US Pacific Air Forces] to enhance their capabilities and readiness to respond to potential threats in the region,” Castillo said on Tuesday, May 2.

The primary flight operations for the first phase of Cope Thunder from May 1 to 12 are currently being held at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Castillo said that a key component of the exercise is the mission planning cell (MPC) which is responsible for coordinating the integration of different aircraft, as well as executing defensive counter air (DCA) and offensive counter air (OCA) operations.

“The first week will focus on DCA operations. These involve the identification, tracking, and interception of enemy aircraft in the vicinity of friendly forces,” she stated.

The PAF spokesperson explained that subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) on maintenance and security forces will be conducted to support DCA operations and provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain their equipment and ensure security in the operational field.

Meanwhile, the second phase from July 2 to 21 will focus on OCA operations involving offensive attacks on enemy aircraft and ground targets.

The CT-Ph23-1 marks the revival of the bilateral exercise between the two Air Forces after more than three decades.

The original Cope Thunder exercises were first held in 1976 and continued annually in the Philippines until 1990 to provid regular flight training for US pilots and allied nations.