MANILA: Fighter jets from the Philippine Air Force and the United States Air Force conducted basic fighter maneuvers over Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga.
According to Philippines News Agency, the exercise, part of the two-week Cope Thunder-Philippines (CT PH 24-1) event, aims to enhance pilot capabilities through tactical training and interoperability. The maneuvers involved the PAF’s FA-50 and the USAF’s F-16 fighters, focusing on defensive and offensive tactics to boost combat readiness. The exercise, running from April 8 to 19, includes field exercises and expert exchanges in preparation for the Pitch Black Exercise in Australia in July.