TWO F-15Js of the Japan Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) landed at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga last Tuesday as part of the goodwill visit of JASDF officials to the Philippines.
Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokeswoman Col. Maria Consuelo Castillo said the Japanese aircraft were escorted by FA-50 lead-in fighter jets upon arrival in the country.
Castillo said the arrival of the Japanese aircraft was “part of the goodwill visit of JASDF to the Philippines which aims to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the two Air Forces as they jointly develop their defense capabilities through unit-to-unit exchanges.”
The twin-engine, all weather tactical fighters have a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and a combat range of 1,061 nautical miles. They are armed with 20 mm cannon and capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air missiles.
“They brought in their F-15s to showcase them,” said Castillo of the JASDF officials. She said maintenance personnel of the aircraft also demonstrated their capabilities.
“There is no kinetic exercise involved,” said Castillo.
Castillo said the arrival of the F-15Js was followed by a program that kicked off a goodwill interaction between PAF and JASDF officials with Maj. Gen. Takahashi Hideo, commander of the JASDF’s as guest of honor.
Castillo said this is the first time F-15 aircraft from Japan landed in the Philippines since World War II.
“I’m not sure about the history if there were other fighter aircraft that landed before. But their F-15s, it’s (their) first time in the Philippines,” said Castillo.
