US aircraft conducts 1st maritime situational awareness flight in Clark

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 22): US aircraft conducts 1st maritime situational awareness flight in Clark

Four A-10C "Thunderbolt" IIs and two HH-60G "Pave Hawks" conducted their first maritime situational awareness flight out of Clark Air Base in Pampanga last April 19, the US Embassy in Manila said.

The aircraft are part of the US Pacific Command’s Air Contingent deployed to Clark Air Base.

The deployment of the aircraft, which have remained behind in the Philippines after participating in "Balikatan" 2016, will include conducting operations such as air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and helping to assure that all nations have access to air and sea domains throughout the region in accordance with international law.

All operations and deployments are planned and executed with the consent and cooperation of the Philippine government.

The maritime situational awareness operation took the A-10s and HH-60s through international airspace to the west of Luzon.

Missions such as this one promote transparency and safety of movement in international waters and airspace, and showcase the US commitment to ally and partner nations as well as to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region’s continued stability.

“Inter-operability with the Philippine military is at the forefront of our mission,” Air Contingent head Col. Larry Card said.

“The standup of the Air Contingent promotes this collective focus as we build upon our already strong alliance, and reaffirm our commitment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.”

All personnel in this deployment are airmen assigned to various Pacific Air Forces bases, and include aircrew, maintainers, logistics and support personnel.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=878420