PH, US joint air patrol exercises underway over South China Sea

The air forces of the Philippines and the United States were holding joint patrols over the South China Sea, a spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force said Tuesday.

The one-day exercise was being carried out in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine Air Force spokesperson Colonel Maria Consuelo Castillo said, using Manila's term for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone.

“Today, February 4, 2025, the PAF and the US Pacific Air Force or PACAF will conduct a bilateral bomber air patrol, air intercept training, and photo exercise over the West Philippine Sea,” Castillo said at a press briefing

“This exercise is a crucial step in enhancing our interoperability, improving air domain awareness and agile combat employment, and supporting our shared bilateral objectives,” she added.

According to the PAF, three of the Philippines' FA-50 Golden Eagle fighter aircraft were participating, along with two B-1B Lancer bombers from PACAF.

The participants met at the west coast of the Philippines to conduct the exercises, which started at noon and will end in the afternoon.

“With this capability enhancement exercise, the PAF and PACAF underscore their strong and strategic partnership, demonstrating a collective commitment to maintaining regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the PAF said in a statement. 

According to Castillo, participants are set to fly over the WPS including a part of Bajo de Masinloc.

“With this capability enhancement exercise, the PAF and PACAF underscore their strong and strategic partnership, demonstrating a collective commitment to maintaining regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” the PAF said in a statement. 

Castillo denied that the exercise between the Philippines and US air forces has something to do with the recent tension in the WPS with Chinese ships, saying that it was a regular training.

“This cooperative effort falls under the framework of the Mutual Defense Board - Security Engagement Board activities between the Philippine and United States specifically addressing bilateral air activities and joint air patrols,” she said. — Reuters with Joviland Rita/RSJ/RF, GMA Integrated News