Phl, U.S. wrap up air exercise

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Forces (Pacaf) officially wrapped up their joint exercise Cope Thunder Philippines 25-1 (CT PH 25-1) on Wednesday.

PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said the PAF’s 5th Fighter Wing commander, BGen. Leo Fontanilla led the closing ceremony and the debriefing after the exercise at Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

“The hotwash session served as a post-exercise review, enabling participants to analyze operational outcomes, share key lessons learned, and refine strategies for future joint exercises,” Castillo told reporters in a Viber message.

She said that CT PH 25-1, a preparatory exercise for the upcoming large-scale Balikatan Exercise, “laid a strong foundation for sustained multinational cooperation and enhanced operational synergy” between the two air forces.

The military exercise, which began on 7 April, involved over 700 PAF personnel and a diverse fleet of aircraft, including FA-50PH fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, and S-76A and S-70i Black Hawk helicopters. The PACAF contingent comprised 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets.

Castillo said the CT PH 25-1 featured a comprehensive program of Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, as well as Flight and Field Training exercises.

“Notably, this exercise marked the PAF’s inaugural hosting of an International Observer Program (IOP), participated in by representatives from Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Japan and Indonesia,” she said.

The CT PH 25-1 serves “as a key milestone in enhancing joint operational readiness and deepening defense ties between the Philippines and the United States,” contributing to the AFP’s ongoing modernization and capability development efforts, Castillo said.

The exercise highlighted field training on aircraft maneuvers and tactics.

Cope Thunder is a bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the US that focuses on combined air and ground operations.

This year’s iteration aims to develop asymmetric warfare capabilities, enhance air superiority, improve international cooperation, and bolster sustainment systems for increased operational readiness.