Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 7) – The Philippines and the United States on Friday opened the second iteration of their air forces’ joint “Cope Thunder” exercise.
Around 1,200 Filipino and American airmen are participating in the nearly three-week drills that will include expertise changes and field training exercises in Pampanga, Tarlac, Cebu, and General Santos City.
This phase of Cope Thunder will focus on large force deployment, and is seen to strengthen the two countries’ defense alliance in confronting regional threats.
“The Cope Thunder exercise is one of the platforms most suitable to enhance our interoperability with like-minded defense partners like the US to address current and future security challenges,” said MGen Augustine Malinit, Commander of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) Air Defense Command.
The US Air Force (USAF) said it is looking into expanding Cope Thunder into a multilateral exercise.
\”Possibly with Japan, and Australia, and another partner like-minded country joining us, in the future years,\” USAF BGen. Sarah Russ said.
The first phase of the exercise was held in May, following its revival after over three decades. Washington and Manila first held the Cope Thunder drills in 1991.
Meanwhile, the PAF said it plans to participate in next year’s \”Pitch Black\” – which will be hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force in Northern Australia.
