COPE THUNDER PART 2//PH, US hold air combat exercises

From the Manila Times (Jul 4, 2023): COPE THUNDER PART 2//PH, US hold air combat exercises (By Franco Jose C. Baroña)

AROUND 225 United States and Philippine airmen are expected to take part in the second stage of Cope Thunder, a large-scale joint exercise between the two allied countries that began in 1976 but was halted after the US military closed its bases at Clark and Subic in 1991.

During the three-week US Pacific Air Force (US Pacaf)-sponsored bilateral fighter training that will run from July 2 until July 21, US and Philippine service members will exercise together to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability.

The primary flight operations will happen at Clark Air Base, Mactan Air Base, and other airfields in the Philippines and will involve C-130 Hercules, A-10 Warthogs and F-22 Raptors from multiple participating units.

During the first stage of the exercise from May 1 to 12, Cope Thunder involved around 160 USAF service members and 400 PAF Airmen from different units with a focus on Air-to-Air Operations and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs).

A key component of the first stage was the Mission Planning Cell (MPC), responsible for planning and coordinating the integration of different aircraft and the execution of Defensive Counter Air (DCA) and Offensive Counter Air (OCA) operations.

The MPC worked closely with SMEEs to ensure that all participating personnel were trained and ready to undertake the mission.

The first week focused on DCA operations involving the identification, tracking and interception of enemy aircraft in the vicinity of friendly forces.

To support these operations, SMEEs on maintenance and security forces training were conducted.

These SMEEs provided participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain their equipment and ensure security in the operational field.

On the other hand, the second week focused on OCA operations, which involved offensive attacks on enemy aircraft and ground targets.

These operations required a high degree of coordination and planning, which was facilitated by the MPC and SMEEs.

According to the US Pacaf, the second stage of Cope Thunder has a specific emphasis on expeditionary operations and is "designed to provide bilateral fighter training" with the PAF.

Cope Thunder began in the Philippines in 1976. It was moved to Eielson Air Force Base in 1992 and eventually renamed Red Flag Alaska.

The US Pacaf said this is the first year that Cope Thunder has returned to the Philippines since 1990.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/07/04/news/national/ph-us-hold-air-combat-exercises/1899049