Interoperability of PH, US aircraft tested in E. Luzon defensive drill
Combat aircraft from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) flew over military training areas in east of Luzon to enhance their ability to work together in carrying out defensive counter-air (DCA) operations.
*(Photo: Philippine Air Force)
* Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said Monday, July 10, that the training was part of the ongoing second iteration of Cope Thunder 2023 exercise between the two air forces. During the defensive counter-air exercise, the PAF deployed four FA-50PHs, its primary air combat aircraft, while the USAF utilized four A-10 Warthogs attack aircraft and four F-22 Raptors stealth fighter aircraft. “The objective of the defensive counter-air exercise is to enable coordinated air operations among aircraft of different types, encompassing airspace control, threat identification and engagement, and mutual support,” Consuelo said. “The exercise commenced with the aircraft taking off from Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga and [conducted] simulated DCA operations in the military training areas east of Luzon,” she added. Consuelo said the exercise also helped the two air forces to enhance their interoperability, refine tactical approaches, and bolster their overall effectiveness in countering airborne threats.Air domain awareness
Meanwhile, personnel from PAF’s Air Defense Command (ADC) and USAF attended a subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) on air domain awareness at Clark Air Base. Experts from the Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Center covered topics on joint air and space operations and air defense artillery fire control officers (ADAFCOs) brief. “The objective was to discuss the capabilities of the Joint Air and Space Operations Center in supporting Air Operations and identifying any gaps in the existing Integrated Air Defense System (IADS) of the PAF,” Consuelo explained. Personnel from the Pacific IAMD Center and Hawaii Air National Guard, 169th Air Defense Squadron also led discussions on various topics highlighting the significance of domain awareness, command and control (C2) systems, tactical data link, and other modern devices within the IADS.