The United States and the Philippines have joined forces to kick off “Cope Thunder” 25-1, a bilateral exercise between the Air Forces of the two countries that lasts for two weeks.
The exercise opened on April 7, 2025 at Clark Air Base in Pampanga, Philippines, about 93 kilometers north of Manila.
PAF, PACAF KICK-OFF COPE THUNDER PH 25-1 IN PAMPANGA
— Philippine Air Force (@PhilAirForce) April 7, 2025
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The bilateral exercise involves about 1,000 airmen from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), and will conclude on April 18, 2025.
From the PAF fleet, four FA-50PHs, three A-29B Super Tucanos, one S-76A, and one S-Huey will participate in the exercise. Meanwhile, the PACAF has sent 250 personnel and 12 F-16 fighter jets. The exercise will highlight field training exercises on aircraft maneuvers and tactics.
The joint exercise comes just a week after the US approved a potential $5.58 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines.
The first Cope Thunder exercise started in the Philippines in 1976 and went on until 1990. In 1991, the exercises were discontinued when a volcanic eruption from Mount Pinatubo damaged the air base, and the Philippine government voted against extending the lease of US Military facilities in the country. Cope Thunder returned for the first time in 2023.
For the 2025 iteration of the exercise, the PAF is hosting an International Observer Program (IOP) for the first time as part of the exercise. Participating are representatives from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Royal Thai Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Indonesian Air Force.
The exercise will also feature Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) covering a wide range of domains including fighter and close air support operations, helicopter operations, cybersecurity, communications, aircraft maintenance, logistics, security, and medical services.
The PAF said Cope Thunder 25-1 marks a key milestone in enhancing joint operational readiness and deepening defense ties between the Philippines and the United States, contributing to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ modernization and capability development efforts.