US, Philippine air forces conduct joint exercise

ANKARA

The US and Philippine air forces conducted a bilateral integration exercise involving fighter and airlift assets in the Philippines' Pampanga and Cebu provinces over the weekend.

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) took part in an exercise billed “Iron Blade,” which is another demonstration of the “strong and enduring partnership,” Philippine News Agency quoted Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF public affairs office chief, as saying on Sunday.

The drill involved a combined force of two Philippine FA-50PH fighter aircraft, two US Air Force FA-22s, and a US Air Force C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, he added.

Apart from the aerial maneuvers, subject matter expert exchanges were also held in Pampanga, focused on flight operations and maintenance, while cargo-related exchanges were tackled in Cebu, according to the news agency.

Iron Blade is part of PACAF’s redeployment activities following its participation in the Pitch Black Exercise in Australia.

Before heading to Kadena Air Base in Japan, the Philippines is one of their stopover points.

The US Air Force contingent includes six F-22s and three C-130s taking part in the stopover.