The Philippines and United States hold ground and air exercises in northern Luzon

The commander of Philippines’ Air Logistic command, Major General Dennis Estrella opened the two-week Cope Thunder exercises, focusing on air defense and air logistics handling.

U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Rico, 421st Mission Generation Force Element F-35A Lightning II pilot, gets ready for the Cope Thunder 25-2 at Clark Air Base last July 7, 2025. Photo by U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aden Brown.

Manuel Mogato | April 7, 2026

MANILA — The Philippines and the United States opened simultaneously but separate aerial and ground exercises in northern Luzon to test their operational readiness as conflict escalates in the Middle East.

The United States Pacific Air Force brought several F-22 Raptors at Clark Air Base in Pampanga to train with the Philippines FA-50s, testing tactical agility.

The commander of Philippines’ Air Logistic command, Major General Dennis Estrella opened the two-week Cope Thunder exercises, focusing on air defense and air logistics handling.

In nearby Fort Magsaysay, more than 7,000 ground troops from the Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States also began the Salaknib drills.

Colonel Louie Dema-ala said the first part of the Salaknib drills will focus on maritime and territorial defense, amphibious and combined arms operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

The second phase of the Army exercises will in May, after the larger-scale, joint and combined Balikatan exercise which is expected to be launched on the third week of April.

Dema-ala said the 400 Japanese troops will take part, for the first time, in the two-week drills and will move on the larger Balikatan exercises on April 20.

US Marines, sailors, and aviators will also join n the Balikatan drills, he added.