THE Philippine Air Force will begin today (Monday) its air exercises with its counterpart from the United States, to test for the first time, the readiness and capability of its South Korean-acquired FA-50 fighter jets and their pilots to defend the country’s air space in combat.
While the squadron of FA-50 jets has been in the service of the Air Force since their acquisition more than a year ago, they have been mainly used for training, air show and bombing missions against local threat groups. The latest was more than a week ago when it bombed the camp of a local front of the Islamic State in Lanao del Sur.
Air Force spokesman Maynard Santiago said the Bilateral Air Contingent Exchange-Philippines (BACE-P) involving both air forces of the Philippines and the US will use the Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base, both in Pampanga, the Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac and Wallace Air Station in San Fernando, La Union during the 12-day air exercises.
On Sunday, F-16 fighter jets from the 13th Fighter Squadron of the US Air Force arrived in the country for the war games with the 7th Fighter Squadron and 105th Fighter Training Squadron, both of the Philippine Air Force, thus testing the capability of the FA-50 jets and their Filipino pilots to go toe-to-toe with modern aircraft.
“For 12 days, these units will be involved in one of the most rigorous air exercises being conducted between the two countries,” Mariano said of the acquired aircraft and Filipino combat pilots.
Mariano said both air forces will undertake a wide range of missions such as air-to-air engagement; base defense; air traffic navigations and integration coordination; air battle management, air defense command and control operations; radar and radio operations; and surface to air missile operation and deployment planning.
The exercise between the US and Philippine Air Forces is the third bilateral training between the military allies taking place this month as the Balance Piston involving special forces units from both countries has just concluded.
Another exercise, Salaknib, involving the Philippine Army and the US Army, Pacific (Usarpac) is also ongoing in Central Luzon.
In the latter part of this month, the US and the Philippines will also start Balikatan, the biggest war games involving the two countries and will be attended by some of their allies, including Japan and Australia as well as armies in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy accorded a sendoff ceremony to the French surveillance frigate Vendémiaire during the weekend as it sailed out of the country following a port call.