Black Hawks, joint drills highlight PAF's 78 years of service

(April 07 2025) PAF Commanding General LTGen Arthur Cordura and Air National Guard Mobilization Assistant to COMPACAF MGen Christopher Sheppard PACAF led the opening ceremony of Cope Thunder Philippines 2025-1, and conduct flight exercises, held at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Monday April 7 2025. the PAF is deploying 729 personnel and various types of aircraft including FA-50PH, A-29B Super Tucano, S-76A and S70i Blackhawk helicopters. PACAF sent a total of 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets. The exercise will highlight field training exercises on aircraft maneuvers and tactics. Cope Thunder is a bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States, featuring combined air and ground exercises involving the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). This year's iteration aims to Develop Asymmetric Warfare Capabilities for Force Projection and Area Denial; Enhance Conventional Capabilities to Ensure Superiority in Air Operations; Enhance Cooperation with International and Security Partners to Improve Operational Coordination, Readiness, Effectiveness, and Strategic Deterrence; and Enhance Sustainment Systems to Increase Operational Readiness and Mission Effectiveness. Photo/Analy Labor

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06 Jul 2025, 05:46

Chief of the Philippine Air Force Public Affairs Office (PAF-PAO) Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo shared on Sunday that the Philippine Air Force has come a long way in its 78 years of service.

She emphasized that training continues regularly — not only within the Air Force, but also in coordination with the Navy and the Army. Joint exercises with allied forces are also ongoing.

"The need to protect the country’s interests should require a lot of effort. On a daily basis, various air assets are deployed to monitoring activities," Castillo said in Filipino.

She noted that encountering air challenges over the radio has become a normal event. Nearly a thousand unidentified tracks have been detected within Philippine airspace.

Col. Castillo also highlighted the significant contribution of the Black Hawk helicopters, saying that they have greatly enhanced operations since being added to the Air Force’s inventory.

"The Philippine Air Force takes a holistic approach to its mission, ensuring that no aspect of its operations is neglected," she said.

Philippine Air Force

Philippine Navy

PAF spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo

Philippine Air Force 78th anniversary

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