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Cope Thunder drills hone air combat capabilities of PH, US pilots

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
April 16, 2025, 10:13 am Updated on April 16, 2025, 3:57 pm

MANILA -- The ongoing Cope Thunder 25-1 air drills between Philippine and US Air Forces units are providing fighter jet pilots from both nations a chance to hone their air combat and defensive capabilities, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) said Wednesday.

"During Cope Thunder 25-1, FA-50PH pilots of the PAF engage US Air Force F-16s in advanced dissimilar air combat tactics (DACT) training. These high-intensity air combat drills allow pilots to face different aircraft types that have unique performance profiles—sharpening their skills in close-range dogfights and tactical intercepts, where speed, timing, and situational awareness are critical," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a message to the Philippine News Agency when asked what benefits Filipino fighter jet pilots get from participating in this type of air exercises.

She added that "dogfighting" or visual-range air combat, with dissimilar aircraft, tests each pilot's ability to outmaneuver the adversary aircraft in intense and high G-force engagements or situations where pilots experience accelerations significantly higher than the Earth's gravity.

Castillo said such training is crucial in "real-world air combat scenarios" where opposing fighter jet pilots must adapt by exploiting each other's weaknesses and suppressing the opponent's capabilities to win.

"This kind of training pushes both Air Forces to adapt quickly, refine combat decision-making, and improve interoperability. For the 5th Fighter Wing, every maneuver and intercept strengthens not just their individual capabilities, but the collective readiness to secure Philippine skies with support from our allies and partners."

Cope Thunder 25-1 also known as Cope Thunder Philippines (CT PH 25-1) started on April 7 and ends on Wednesday.

The exercise is now being held in key training locations in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac.

Castillo earlier said PAF is deploying 729 personnel and various aircraft types, including FA-50PH fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano, S-76A and S70i Black Hawk helicopters.

The US Pacific Air Forces, on the other hand, sent 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets. Castillo said the exercise would also feature subject matter expert exchanges covering a wide range of domains, including fighter and close air support operations, helicopter operations, cybersecurity, communications, aircraft maintenance, logistics, security, and medical services.

CT PH 25-1 marks a key milestone in enhancing joint operational readiness and deepening defense ties between the Philippines and the United States.

It also contributes to the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization and capability development efforts. (PNA)