Phl, US air forces back together for Cope Thunder

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Force (PACAF) are set to embark on joint exercises - involving their advanced fighter jets from April 8 to 19 for this year's iteration of Cope Thunder, an annual air defense and offense training event to be held in Luzon.

- MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF public affairs office chief, said Cope Thunder 2024 is part of the Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board activities for 2024.

She told reporters the primary goal of the joint drills is to expand the capability of the PAF to join or host international exercises as well as "increase interoperability between the PAF and PACAF, and of course improve our logistics capability."

The venues for the exercises would be in Northern Luzon and at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat in Pampanga, she said.

Apart from actual flight exercises, Cope Thunder activities would also involve subject matter expert exchanges, classroom instructions, and exchange of best practices in maintenance, she said.