AT least twelve F-16s fighter jets of the US Air Force are in the country to take part in an “external defense” exercise with fighter aircraft of the Philippine Air Force in three areas in Central Luzon.
The exercise, dubbed Bilateral Air Contingent Exchange-Philippines (BASE-P), will start today, Monday, and will run until March 25, according to PAF spokesman Lt. Col. Maynard Mariano.
Mariano said the 12 F-16s multi-role fighter aircraft arrived at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga last Saturday. He said the PAF will field 10 of its FA-50 fighter planes during the training set to be held in Basa Air Base; Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga; and in Rabina Air Base in Capas, Tarlac.
“This is primarily intended for the development of the skills of our pilots for external defense,” Mariano said. The two sides cancelled the exercise in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mariano said the AFP, PAF and the US Pacific Air Force decided to hold the exercise this year due to the improved COVID-19 situation.
Mariano said there will be no live-fire training during the exercise, which will involve the US Air Force’s 13th Fighter Squadron and the PAF’s 7th Fighter Squadron and 105th Fighter Training Squadron.
“It will be focused more on procedures on how to do things in the air. These are all simulated, they (exercises) will be simulated engagements, but this will be on the air,” the Mariano.
“For 12 days, these units will be involved in one of the most rigorous air exercises being conducted between the two countries,” Mariano said.
