Clark Freeport – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) held a bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States at Clark Air Base.

Iron Swat 2024, a bilateral exercise led by the Joint US Military Assistance Group-Philippines (JUSMAG-P), was a nine-day event from December 5 to 13 aimed at enhancing the integration of air operations and improving tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) between the two air forces.

The exercise brought together PAF personnel, including pilots, maintenance crews, and combat air controllers, alongside their PACAF counterparts. It involved two PAF A-29B Super Tucano aircraft and eight US A-10 Warthog aircraft.

It also featured participants from the 15th Strike Wing and 710th Special Operations Wing (710th SPOW). Over the course of the exercise, they engaged in a series of training scenarios and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) designed to enhance interoperability and operational readiness in diverse combat situations.

One of the key highlights of Iron Swat 2024 was the integration of PAF A-29B Super Tucano aircraft alongside US A-10 Warthog aircraft in joint 4-ship flying operations.

These maneuvers, conducted within designated Intensive Military Training Areas (IMTA), tested the ability of both Air Forces to operate together in high-intensity environments.

The training also included surface attack exercises at the Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Col Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) Tarlac, sharpening precision and effectiveness during close air support operations.

The Iron Swat is part of a broader effort to deepen military cooperation and enhance the capabilities of both the PAF and PACAF in ensuring regional security and stability.

The success of this bilateral exercise underscores the importance of joint training exercises with foreign counterparts in improving operational integration and strengthening defense relationships in the Indo-Pacific region vital to the territorial defense of the country.