Philippine-US kicks off cope thunder drills in Pampanga

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States' Pacific Air Forces began the Cope Thunder Philippines (CT PH 25-1) on Monday. 

CT PH 25-1 will be held across key training locations in Northern Luzon, including Basa Air Base and Clark Air Base in Pampanga and Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base in Tarlac until April 18, the PAF spokesperson said. For the first time, the PAF will host an International Observer Program during the cope thunder exercise. 

The program will involve the participation of the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Indonesia Air Force. The initiative aims to broaden the scope of the exercise, fostering greater collaboration and knowledge exchange among participating nations.