Fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force conducted a five-day bilateral exercise alongside US B-52 bombers over the West Philippine Sea. Held from February 2 to 6, the training aimed to boost interoperability between the two forces. It featured live drops, air defense scenarios, and joint patrols.
In a display of the ironclad alliance, fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) flew and trained side-by-side with B-52 bomber planes of the United States military during the Bilateral Bomber Air Patrol and Live Drop Exercise. The five-day event, held from February 2 to 6, took place at multiple locations, including the Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB) in Tarlac City and over the West Philippine Sea (WPS) via the Luzon Strait, with support from the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) and US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC).
PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said the engagement began with a live drop exercise at CERAB on February 2, using a FA-50PH fighter aircraft and a B-52 bomber, backed by joint planning from SOCPAC and MARFORPAC. On February 4, an air defense scenario unfolded over the WPS, focusing on airspace coordination, command-and-control integration, and joint operational response.
The exercise culminated on February 6 in a joint bomber air patrol over the WPS and Luzon Strait, highlighting combined mission planning, airspace coordination, and operational readiness among the PAF, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and supporting US forces.
“These activities enhanced bilateral interoperability, operational readiness and strategic cooperation through joint planning, coordination and execution in a realistic training environment,” Basco said.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier announced that, utilizing its latest sea and air assets, the military will continue to hold multiple naval and air exercises with treaty allies in the WPS over the next two months.
