The Philippines and the United States have initiated a joint air force exercise in the Philippines, with the drills set to last for 12 days until April 18. The exercise, named Cope Thunder Philippines 2025 (CT PH 25-1), is taking place at various air bases in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base, Clark Air Base in Pampanga, and Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac.
For the exercise, the Philippines has deployed 729 personnel, along with aircraft such as the FA-50PH, A-29B Super Tucano, and S-76A and S70i Black Hawk helicopters. The US has sent 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets to participate in the drills. According to a statement from the Philippine Air Force, the exercise will focus on aircraft maneuvers and tactics, with an emphasis on field training.
Several nations are also represented as international observers, including the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Indonesian Air Force.
The joint exercise aims to improve operational readiness and strengthen defense cooperation between the Philippines and the US. The two countries share a mutual defense treaty, which allows US forces to access Philippine military bases, solidifying the longstanding military alliance between the nations in the Asia-Pacific region.