COUNTRY鈥橲 DEFENDERS | Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel demonstrate their combat skills during exercises held at Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Capas, Tarlac, on Monday, July 3, 2023. (Photo by NI脩O JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday reiterated his commitment to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as he underscored the important role of the (PAF) as 鈥渃ustodians of our skies,鈥� securing the country鈥檚 territory from foreign entities.
鈥淭he winds of change signal geopolitical challenges around our region and other parts of the world that as yet affect us,鈥� the president said at the PAF鈥檚 76th anniversary program held at Clark Freeport in Pampanga province.
He also cited the PAF鈥檚 principles of 鈥渋ntegrity, excellence, and patriotism鈥� in pursuit of its mandate as part of the AFP.
鈥淸Y]ou must always uphold these values as the custodians of our skies, entrusted with the task of upholding our national interests, protecting our people, and defending our territory,鈥� Marcos said.
The president also praised the airmen for assisting civilian agencies during calamities.
鈥淵our service also goes far beyond conflict, extending into the depths of calamity and humanitarian crises, where you have selflessly extended a helping hand to those in need,鈥� he said.
Marcos was accompanied by Speaker Martin Romualdez, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., and senior military officials.
Maritime air patrols
AIR SHOW | President Marcos witnesses aerial maneuver performed by Philippine Air Force (PAF) personnel during a capability demonstration at Crow Valley Gunnery Range (Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base) in Capas, Tarlac, on Monday. With the President are National Security Adviser Eduardo A帽o (left) and Lt. Gen. Stephen Parre帽o, PAF commanding general. (Photo by NI脩O JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
The president also led the inspection of a housing project in the City of San Fernando, the provincial capital.
Without making any reference to the West Philippine Sea, Marcos called the PAF鈥檚 maritime air patrols 鈥渆ssential in upholding our territorial integrity and safeguarding Philippine maritime zones.鈥�
The commander in chief also commended the PAF for supporting the Philippine Army and other state security forces 鈥渋n upholding internal security, making our communities safe from various threats.鈥�
鈥淚 reiterate that this administration is committed to strengthening the Armed Forces, including [the PAF], through the acquisitions under the AFP modernization program,鈥� the president said.
Meanwhile, the Philippines and the United States are holding the second iteration of Cope Thunder, a large-scale joint air exercise that began on July 2 and ends on July 21.
The United States will deploy its F-22 鈥淩aptors鈥� stealth fighter jets to the bilateral drills. The Pacific Air Forces (Pacaf), a major command of the US Air Force, said the exercises will take place at Clark in Pampanga, Mactan Air Base in Cebu, and other airfields across the Philippines.
The fifth-generation F-22s are among the world鈥檚 most advanced and lethal aircraft. It was first deployed to the Philippines in March as part of an expert exchange.
Other aircraft to be used in the joint exercise are C-130 Hercules transport planes and A-10 Warthog attack aircraft. Some 225 US airmen are expected to take part in the drills.
The PAF said in May that the drills in July would include cargo aircraft to simulate the movement of a large fleet and 鈥渢o test air mobility and combat readiness in a realistic operational environment.鈥�
The first iteration of the exercises involved Philippine and US jets simulating engagements with an enemy force over the West Philippine Sea.
AIR SHOW | Air Force choppers in aerial maneuvers at the Crow Valley Gunnery Range (Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base) in Capas, Tarlac, on Monday, July 3, 2023. (Photo by NI脩O JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Discontinued, revived
Cope Thunder used to be a large-scale, US-led multinational exercise that started in the Philippines in 1976, but was discontinued when the Americans closed their bases in the country in 1992.
After three decades, the drills were revived in the country in May, amid concerns between the two allies over an increasingly aggressive China.
The exercises are bilateral for now but are expected to expand in the coming years.
鈥淭he US and Philippine service members will exercise together to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures within the Indo-Pacific,鈥� Pacaf said.
Cope Thunder鈥檚 return 鈥減rovides a unique opportunity to integrate forces and improve interoperability鈥� between the United States and the Philippines, it added.