Philippines jets, US bombers jointly patrol Panatag
MANILA, Philippines — Two US Air Force B-1 bombers joined three Philippine FA-50 fighter jets in air patrol and intercept exercises over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal recently, the first joint military drills between the Philippines and the US under the Trump administration.
Officials stressed the bilateral exercises were not directed at any specific country. China has several coast guard and militia vessels around the shoal and in other areas within Philippine waters.
“This exercise is a crucial step in enhancing our interoperability, improving air domain awareness and agile combat employment and supporting our shared bilateral air objectives,” Philippine Air Force spokesperson Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said at a briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
“No, this is not in relation to any particular issue. This is just part of the usual training we have under the mutual defense board, security engagement board, lined up trainings or activities for the year,” she stressed.
She also said it was not clear if it was the first time B-1 bombers took part in a joint exercise with the PAF, Castillo said.
“So far my staff can’t recall any report from the public affairs or training office records of previous deployment of B-1 for joint training,” Castillo said. “We need to check past years’ records. So I can’t give immediate and conclusive answer for this,” she said.
She said the exercises were carried out within the regular Intensive Military Training Area (IMA) inside the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
“This cooperative effort falls under the framework of the Mutual Defense Board Security Engagement Board activities between the Philippines and the United States, specifically addressing bilateral air activities and joint air patrols,” she said.
Asked about what’s in store for Panatag Shoal in future similar exercises, Castillo said “this is just a simple flying exercise conducting joint air patrol together with the B-1 aircraft of PACAF.” PACAF refers to Pacific Air Forces of the US.
“From our mainland, they will do a rendezvous because the bomber aircraft won’t be landing here in the Philippines. They will be coming from a different place and then they’re going