Philippine and US Aircraft Engage in Joint Drills Over West Philippine Sea

In a display of military cooperation, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) conducted a joint air exercise over the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The exercise involved three FA-50PH jet fighters from the PAF and two B-1 ‘Lancer’ bombers from the PACAF, focusing on bilateral air patrols, air intercept training, and a photo exercise. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo emphasized the importance of these drills in enhancing interoperability, improving air domain awareness, and supporting shared bilateral air objectives. The aircraft rendezvoused off the west coast of the Philippines within the Intensive Military Training Area (IMTA), which includes Bajo de Masinloc, part of the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Castillo clarified that the exercise was part of routine training under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board and was unrelated to recent regional tensions. No Chinese aircraft or radio challenges were detected during the exercise, according to Castillo.