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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Round 2 of Cope Thunder '23 begins

Round 2 of Cope Thunder '23 begins

Published Jul 8, 2023 06:53 am
The second iteration of the Cope Thunder 2023 (CT PH 23-2) exercise between the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Air Force (USAF) officially began on Friday, July 7, at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

Philippine Air Force and United States Air Force personnel pose for a snap during the opening ceremony of the second iteration of

 

*Cope Thunder 2023 (CT PH 23-2) exercise at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga on July 7, 2023. (Photo: PAF)

* A total of 1,272 airmen are participating in the bilateral exercise: 687 troops from the PAF and 585 from the US Pacific Air Force (US PACAF), said Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson. Major Gen. Augustine Malinit, commander of the PAF Air Defense Command, highlighted the significance of the air drill as it is “an opportunity to assimilate forces and augment interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.” “The CT PH 23-2 bilateral air operations exercises will primarily focus on large force deployment of aircraft,” Malinit shared. He said the participants are expected to enhance their mission planning capabilities, and execution of defensive and offensive counter-air operations utilizing fighter and cargo aircraft upon the completion of the exercise. The exercise, which will run until July 21, will include subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs) and field training exercises (FTXs) to be held at several PAF air bases including Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga; Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac; Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; and in General Santos City. Malinit also mentioned the success of the first iteration of Cope Thunder which was held from May 1 to 12 involving around 400 PAF airmen and 160 USAF service members. Meanwhile, the USAF delegation was led by Brig. Gen. Sarah Russ, mobilization assistant to the Director of Strategy, Plans, Programs, and Requirements of the US PACAF. After the opening ceremony, troops from both air forces conducted an aircraft tour at the Haribon Hangar where they featured an F-22 and A-10 aircraft from the US Air Force and an FA-50 aircraft from the PAF. Cope Thunder was revived by the PAF and USAF this year. 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 in Alaska where it was renamed "Red Flag Alaska."

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Pampanga Cope Thunder Exercise United States PAF
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