PAF concludes special training with USAF

From the Manila Times (May 14, 2023): PAF concludes special training with USAF (By Franco Jose C. Baroña)

THE first stage of Cope Thunder Philippines came to a close at Clark Air Base, in Pampanga with the promise of a "large force deployment" for its second phase to be held later this year.

During the training exercise from May 1 to 12, United States Air Force (USAF) Airmen and Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel conducted bilateral fighter training operations.

Approximately 160 USAF Airmen flew, supported and maintained more than 12 aircraft from the 35th Fighter Wing, Misawa Air Base, Japan during their operations.

During these flying operations, Allied forces had the opportunity to train side by side, increasing familiarity with each others' tactics and enhancing interoperability and lethality, all in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

"We're integrating with the PAF every day, both on the ground and in the air, and it has been an outstanding opportunity for both our forces to learn from each other," said US Air Force Lt. Col. David Dubel, 14th Fighter Squadron commander. "The PAF pilots are very much like us, they think like us, they're fighter pilots to the core, and they've been awesome to fly with."

The 14th Fighter Squadron flew F-16 Fighting Falcons while their PAF counterparts flew FA-50PHs and AS-211s for a total of 96 sorties and 127 flying hours during CT 23-1.

Alongside flying operations, SMEEs were conducted by the 736th Security Forces Squadron Airmen and their PAF counterparts at Basa Air Base, Philippines. They trained in weapons handling, close-quarters battle operations, combative, unmounted vehicle operations, and simulated attack scenarios.

2nd Lt. Nick Dinglasa, PAF security forces team lead, expressed his gratitude for the US Air Force members who have shared their expertise, especially with security and defense operations.

"I look forward to applying these methods with the rest of our team and strengthening the defense of this region with our Allies," Dinglasa said.

Prior to the closing of Cope Thunder, Defense Officer in Charge Senior Undersecretary Carlito Galvez Jr. received the chief of staff of the US Army, Gen. James McConville, to discuss the strong and enduring defense partnership between the Philippines and the United States.

Defense spokesman Director Arsenio Andolong said the meeting held last Wednesday highlighted the productive outcomes of high-level engagements between the two countries, such as the recent official visit of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the US.

Andolong said Galvez welcomed the successful execution of the largest iteration of Exercise Balikatan, as well as the conduct of Exercise Salaknib, the annual Army-to-Army exercise geared at strengthening the interoperability between Filipino and American soldiers. He also recalled that both activities featured live-fire exercises and utilized capabilities such as the Javelin Anti-Tank Weapon System (JATWS) and the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (Himars).

Andolong said for his part, General McConville highlighted the importance of both armed forces working together and building long-lasting relationships. He mentioned that in the region, there is peace through strength, and strength comes from allies and friends working together.

"Both officials emphasized the strong people-to-people engagements between the Philippines and the US, recalling fond memories and shared experiences of junior officers participating in joint courses with the US Army and other prestigious multi-level International Military Education and Training (IMET) programs being provided by the US Armed Forces," he said.

McConville's call on Galvez is part of a series of high-level visits by US officials, which indicate the US government's desire to give importance to and strengthen the Philippine-US alliance, said Andolong.

Other US officials who have visited the Philippines during the current administration were Vice President Kamala Harris; Secretary of State Anthony Blinken; Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin; Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall 3rd; Admiral John Aquilino, US Indopacom commander; Admiral Michael Gilday, US chief of Navy Operations; Lindsey Ford, deputy assistant secretary for defense for South and Southeast Asia; and Mira Resnick, deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Political and Military Affairs, Department of State.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/05/14/regions/paf-concludes-special-training-with-usaf/1891423