The Philippine Air Force (PAF) on Saturday said that it has performed a Bilateral Bomber Air Patrol and Live Drop Exercise with the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
PAF said the bilateral air patrol was held at multiple locations, including Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base (CERAB), Tarlac City, and over the West Philippine Sea via the Luzon Strait, with backing from the Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC).
“The bilateral engagement featured a series of coordinated air activities aimed at strengthening cooperation and interoperability between Philippine and U.S. forces,” it said.
The air patrols and exercises between PAF and PACAF were held from February 2-6.
Last February 2, 2026, the PAF and PACAF performed a Live Drop Exercise at CERAB, involving PAF FA-50PH fighter aircraft and U.S. B-52 bomber aircraft, supported by joint planning and coordination elements from SOCPAC and MARFORPAC.
An Air Defense scenario was held on February 4 over the West Philippine Sea which focused on airspace coordination, command-and-control integration, and joint operational response.
The exercise culminated on Friday, February 6, in a Joint Bomber Air Patrol over the West Philippine Sea and Luzon Strait, aimed at combined mission planning, airspace coordination, and operational readiness among the PAF, PACAF, and supporting U.S. forces.
“These activities enhanced bilateral interoperability, operational readiness, and strategic cooperation through joint planning, coordination, and execution in a realistic training environment,” PAF said.
Through these combined air activities and multi-domain support, the PAF continued to strengthen defense partnerships and reinforce its capability to safeguard national airspace and uphold sovereignty,” it added. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
