07-07-2025
PH, US air forces open 2nd iteration of Cope Thunder 2025
Participants from the Philippine Air Force and the United States Air Force pose in front of a FA-50PH Golden Eagle and F-35A Lightning II at Clark Air Force Base in Pampanga on July 7, 2025. PHOTO: PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) on Monday officially opened the second iteration of this year's Cope Thunder Philippines Exercise at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
In a statement, the PAF said the exercise will be conducted across multiple training locations in Northern Luzon from July 7 to 18 to demonstrate the strong alliance and defense ties between the two countries.
'For this iteration, the PAF is deploying 2,301 personnel and a range of air assets, including FA-50PH fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucanos, AW109 helicopters, S-76A, and S-70i Black Hawk helicopters,' PAF said.
'Meanwhile, PACAF has committed 225 personnel and F-35 fighter aircraft, further enhancing the exercise's scope and interoperability,' it added.
The Philippine and US troops will join Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) and Field Training Exercises (FTXs).
According to PAF, these activities focus on boosting operational tactics, interoperability, and joint mission capabilities across multiple domains.
The exercise improves joint interoperability and mutual defense readiness between the Philippine and US air forces while contributing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' (AFP) modernization and capability development efforts to uphold regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, the PAF said.
The opening ceremony at Clark Air Base was led by PAF chief Lieutenant General Arthur M Cordura and PACAF's commander of the 421st Fighter Squadron Lieutenant Colonel Bryan E Mussler. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News
