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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH, US air forces hold joint exercise 'Iron Swat'

PH, US air forces hold joint exercise 'Iron Swat'

Published Dec 16, 2024 07:43 am
iron swat.jpg
Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Pacific Air Forces (US PACAF) aircraft fly in formation over the Philippine Sea for "Iron Swat" exercise. The bilateral training was held from Dec. 9 to 13, 2024. (Courtesy of PAF)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and United States Pacific Air Forces (US PACAF) flew over the Philippine Sea last week for a joint exercise dubbed as “Iron Swat”.

In a statement Monday, Dec. 16, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the PAF deployed its A-29 Super Tucano light attack aircraft while the PACAF utilized C-130 H2 Hercules transport aircraft from the Missouri Air National Guard (ANG) and A-10 Thunderbolt IIs or "Warthog" attack aircraft from its 25th Fighter Squadron.

The drills were held from Dec. 9 to 13 at the Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

“The exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the two forces, improve close air support coordination, strengthen air-to-ground capabilities, and boost mission integration to maintain regional peace and stability,” Castillo said.

The US delegation and their assets arrived in the country last Dec. 6.

According to the PACAF, the training sought to provide their pilots and maintenance teams “an opportunity to increase shared capabilities and enhance interoperability.”

“Collaboration in these training activities reinforces the strong partnership between the US and Philippine Air Forces and underscores their commitment to promoting regional stability,” it said.

The PACAF said that the training was part of its “Dynamic Force Employment” which aims to “enhance combined lethality by prioritizing the capacity and capabilities for major combat operations while being strategically predictable but operationally unpredictable in an ever-evolving competitive and contested environment.”

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US PACAF Philippine Air Force (PAF) Iron Swat exercise PAF
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