American Fighter Pilots Arrive in The Philippines for Major War Drill

US Air Force F-35s recently operated from the Philippines for the first time ever as part of the latest edition of the Cope Thunder exercise. The fighters from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, flew alongside F-850 jets, a 29 light attack planes, and helicopters from the Philippine Air Force during the exercise, which began July 7 and ends July 18. The jets were based out of Basa Air Base and focused on the country's northern Luzon region, the part of the Philippines closest to Taiwan. In a brief release marking the start of the exercise, Pacific Air Forces stated that Cope Thunder exercises aim to facilitate bilateral fighter training with the Philippine Air Force, enhancing alliance readiness and combined interoperability among participating forces. Images shared by PACAF show US and Filipino airmen sharing expertise on everything from airfield management, to maintenance, to refueling. Yet it was the F-35's presence that marked the biggest milestone for the exercise. As recently as a few years ago, the US had never sent a fifth-generation fighter to the Philippines. That changed in March 2023 when American F-22s landed at Clark Air Base for the first time. In 2024, the US Marine Corps sent F-35B fighters for the train out of Clark as well. But this month's Cope Thunder marked the first time that US F-35s have flown out of the Philippines, one of the US's closest allies in Southeast Asia, where China has sought to assert its growing influence. The Philippines is quietly increasing its ties to the self-governing island of Taiwan in a significant departure from past policy amid clashes over Beijing's claims to the South China Sea. The Washington Post reported earlier this week. As the F-35A disappears into the Philippine skies, it leaves behind more than just jet trails. It marks a new chapter in allied strength and aerial dominance. Thank you for watching. If you enjoyed this glimpse into modern airpower, don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more military aviation content. See you in the next mission.