PH, US military officials inspect Basa Air Base

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 29, 2024): PH, US military officials inspect Basa Air Base (By Priam Nepomuceno)

INSPECTION. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and US Indo-Pacific Command commander Admiral Samuel Paparo board a Philippine Air Force FA-50 jet during their visit to Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on Wednesday (Aug. 28, 2024). The two officials visited Base Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga – one of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites – to inspect upgrades done in the facility. (Photo courtesy of the AFP)

MANILA – Filipino and American military officials on Wednesday visited Base Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga – one of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites – to inspect upgrades done in the facility.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) head Admiral Samuel Paparo led the inspection of facilities developed under the EDCA between the Philippines and the United States.

"The inspection focused on the improvements and upgrades made to enhance the operational capabilities of the Philippine Air Force and promote joint interoperability between the two armed forces," the AFP said in a statement.

Basa Air Base, one of nine AFP facilities designated under the EDCA, has been equipped with infrastructure upgrades and facilities to support the Philippine military’s modernization efforts and contribute to the overall security and defense posture in the region.

"The improvements in our facilities at Basa Air Base demonstrate our commitment to strengthening our defense capabilities and ensuring that our forces are prepared to respond to any security challenge," Brawner said.

These developments are vital in the AFP's goal of being a credible defense force that can safeguard the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

The visit is part of the ongoing engagements under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) meeting scheduled at the Philippine Military Academy in Baguio City Thursday afternoon.

The MDB-SEB is a venue for the AFP and the USINDOPACOM to "discuss and come up with a mutually agreed policy direction" on defense and security concerns.

To be discussed are the range of military activities the two nations will carry out next year, including the annual "Balikatan" and "Salaknib" exercises.

Some 16,000 American and Filipino troops took part in this year's "Balikatan" from April 22 to May 10 in various locations in the country.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232166