Japan, Philippines air forces to conduct first bilateral training on disaster relief

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will conduct their first bilateral training on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief at Clark Air Base in Mabalacat City, Pampanga this month, the Embassy of Japan to the Philippines said Thursday.

Air force exercises between the two Asian nations will be held from July 5 to July 8, 2021, seeking to strengthen the interoperability for delivering relief goods in isolated areas during crisis situations.

Likewise, COVID-19 protocols will be followed during the training.

JASDF will dispatch a training unit of Air Support Command: one C-130H cargo aircraft along with its personnel. The bilateral exercise will also include load and offload training and simulated airdrop training.

"Both Japan and the Philippines are vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons due to their climate and topography. Japan is proud to share with the PAF the JASDF’s experience and knowledge on delivery operations of relief goods to people in urgent need," read the statement.

In the same statement, Major Masaki Mizuno of the Japanese air force said both countries can share tactics in disaster relief operations to lessen casualties during natural crises.

“Japan and the Philippines are both natural disaster-prone countries and there are so much we can share on disaster relief operations for saving lives and alleviating the suffering of people in need. We aim for achieving a higher level of coordination and operative capabilities on HA/DR through our training exercises with the PAF,” he said.

In 2013, JASDF deployed 1,180 personnel, three vessels and 16 aircrafts for medical aid and relief supplies in affected areas after Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) ravaged some central areas in the Philippines.

This bilateral training is also part of the commemoration of 65 years of diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines, the embassy also said. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News