PH is observer in US, Aussie military exercise

From Malaya Business Insight (Feb 4): PH is observer in US, Aussie military exercise

THE Philippine Air Force will take part as an observer in a major exercise dubbed as Cope North that will feature some of the most powerful militaries from Feb. 10 to 16 at the Anderson Air Base in Guam.

Thousands of troops and hundreds of assets from the Unites States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand will participate in the exercise.

This is the second time the PAF will participate in the major multi-lateral exercise.

The US Pacific Air Forces said Cope North “serves as a keystone event to promote stability and security throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region by enabling regional forces to hone vital readiness skills critical to maintaining regional stability.”

Air Force spokesman Col. Enrico Canaya said four aero-medical planners will take part in the HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) portion of Cope North.

Last year, the Air Force also sent observers, mostly medical personnel, for the HADR phase of the exercise.

“There will be no aircraft (to be sent),” said Canaya, adding the Air Force involvement in the exercise is being done on a “progressive” manner. 

“From these observers, we are hoping we can elevate our participation, until we’ll have active participation, including on the operational side,” Canaya added.

The Air Force is in the process of implementing a modernization program which calls for the acquisition of modern aircraft and radars.

Last November, two FA-50 fighters, part of the 12 FA-50s being acquired from the Korea Aerospace Industries for P18.9 billion, arrived.

http://malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/ph-observer-us-aussie-military-exercise