FA-50 fleet back in service as Phl-US Cope Thunder drills begin

The Philippine Air Force (PAF)’s FA-50 fleet is now in “full operational status” and ready to participate in the upcoming bilateral and multilateral exercises following the lifting of the grounding effective March 25.

“Our FA-50s are already operational effective 25 March 2025. We have lifted the grounding of our aircraft, and right now they are participating in the Cope Thunder 25-1 exercise,” PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo told reporters in a media interview on Monday during the kickoff of another iteration of Cope Thunder Philippines 2025 (CT PH 25-1) with the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga.

Castillo assured the fleet’s future flight operations are “safe” following the “comprehensive” inspection of the remaining FA-50s.

“Our FA-50 fleet has been inspected very well. It went through a very thorough inspection, and we have proven them airworthy. They have been well inspected in terms of technical and mechanical aspects. That's why we already lifted the grounding of these FA-50 fleet,” she said.

PAF chief Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura and PACAF Air National Guard mobilization assistant Maj. Gen. Christopher Sheppard led the opening of the CT PH 25-1, which runs from April 7 to 18 this year.

Several air exercises are set to be conducted in key training locations in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac.

The PAF deployed 729 personnel to participate in CT PH 25-1, alongside 250 PACAF personnel.

The PAF will utilize various types of aircraft, including FA-50PH, A-29B Super Tucano, S-76A, and S70i Blackhawk helicopters, while the PACAF sent its 12 F-16 fighter jets.

Castillo said the CT PH 25-1 will highlight field training exercises on aircraft maneuvers and tactics.

“For the first time, the PAF is hosting an International Observer Program (IOP) as part of the exercise, participated in by representatives from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Indonesian Air Force,” she added.

The annual air drills also include Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) across various domains, such as fighter and close air support operations, helicopter operations, cybersecurity, communications, aircraft maintenance, logistics, security, and medical services.

“CT PH 25-1 marks a key milestone in enhancing joint operational readiness and deepening defense ties between the Philippines and the United States, contributing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and capability development efforts,” Castillo said.

PHL-US alliance, coalition

In his speech, Cordura said the CT PH 25 “stands testament to the shared commitment” between the Philippines and the US to enhancing interoperability, strengthening defense posture as well as “upholding peace, stability, and security across the Indo-Pacific region.”

“Throughout the exercise, we will engage in a range of high-value activities aimed at improving our joint operational effectiveness—this includes developing warfare capabilities for force projection, area denial, enhancing joint archipelagic defense strategies, and sharpening our edge in electronic warfare, electronic intelligence, and mission planning,” he said.

Cordura added that PAF and PACAF are also keen to work together in improving cyberspace defense, logistics, and sustainment management, and missile defense operations—critical areas “that underpin modern air power and joint force readiness.”

“This is a valuable opportunity to train alongside our allies and partners, share best practices, and enhance tactical proficiency through realistic scenarios and combined operations,” he said.

“It is also a chance to forge lasting friendships, deepen mutual understanding, and embrace the spirit of cooperation that defines our alliance,” he added.

For his part, Sheppard touted this year, which marks the 79th anniversary of the Manila-Washington partnership.

“We stand on the shoulders of many who've gone before us in regard to our relations between the United States and the Philippines. It's a relationship based on commitments to our shared values of democracy, pluralism, and a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Sheppard also said the Exercise Cope Thunder provides a valuable opportunity for Pacific Air Forces and the Philippine Air Forces to build on this relationship.

“As we train alongside each other, we value the chance to enhance and expand our friendship and strategic partnership, improve interoperability, and increase our collective ability to accomplish our shared missions,” he noted.

FA-50 and F-16

PACAF’s 14th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron commander Lt. Col Joshua “Vegas” Plocinski said they are targeting the F-16 multirole fighter aircraft to be integrated with the PAF’s FA-50 fighter jets in the conduct of a variety of mission sets, mostly focused on air-to-air basic training, including dog fighting and tactical intercept exercises.

“We will be accomplishing multiple sorties where multiple FA-50s will launch, we’ll launch F-16s out here, and conduct training together. The major effort for us is just to increase our overall interoperability and the capabilities between both of our air forces—making sure that we are both familiar with how each operates—the tactics, techniques, and procedures,” he said.

Meanwhile, PAF pilot Major Mantis De Villa said this year’s iteration of the CT PH 25-1 will validate the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) between the two air forces through training exercises.

“We are not comparing aircraft versus aircraft here. We will validate our tactics, again, our tactics, techniques, and procedures on how we operate. This is in preparation for us in the future in acquiring a much more capable multirole fighter aircraft,” Villa said.