Air force officials of the Philippines and the United States attend the opening ceremony for Cope Thunder Philippines 2025-1 at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat, Pampanga. - PDI/ANN
PAMPANGA: The Philippines and the United States opened on Monday (April 7) this year’s iteration of their air forces’ joint “Cope Thunder” exercise at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.
According to the Philippine Air Force (PAF), the bilateral exercise is sponsored by the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) dubbed “Cope Thunder Philippines 25-1.” It will be held for almost two weeks, until April 18.
The PAF said 729 of its personnel and nine air assets — four FA-50PHs, three A-29B Super Tucanos, one S-76A, and one S-Huey — will participate in the exercise.
On the other hand, 250 PACAF personnel will join the event, along with 12 F-16 fighter jets.
It disclosed that the PAF’s counterparts in Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia will participate in the exercise through the international observer programme.
PAF added that the exercise will be held in various training locations within Northern Luzon — Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga; and Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
The first-ever iteration of Cope Thunder since its return was held in 2023. The exercise started in the Philippines in 1976 and went on until 1990.
Cope Thunder was discontinued after the US military left Clark Field and Subic Bay in 1991 due to damage from Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption in June of that year and after the Philippine Senate voted against extending the lease on US military facilities in the country. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
