US and Philippines Fighter Jets Conduct Joint Patrol

The United States and Philippine air forces carried out a joint patrol and training exercise over the disputed Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday. This follows last year’s incident where Chinese fighter jets fired flares to drive away a Philippine aircraft, officials said.

According to Philippine Air Force (PAF) spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, the exercise included bilateral bomber air patrols, air intercept training, and a photo exercise over the West Philippine Sea. She emphasized that the drill aimed to enhance military cooperation, improve air domain awareness, and support mutual security objectives.

The patrol involved two Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and two American B1-B bombers. Castillo clarified that the training was part of regular joint operations and was not directly linked to recent tensions in the area.

The exercise is part of the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board activities, which guide military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States. It marks the first joint air patrol since the return of US President Donald Trump to office, amid concerns over America’s strategic commitments in the region.

Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated, particularly between China and the Philippines. In August, Chinese warplanes fired flares at a Philippine patrol aircraft over Scarborough Shoal, prompting strong protests from Manila. The Chinese military had accused the Philippine aircraft of illegally entering its airspace, a claim the Philippines rejected.

Despite repeated confrontations, the Philippine military remains committed to its operations. Castillo reaffirmed that any aggressive actions from foreign forces would not deter them from fulfilling their duties.

The South China Sea remains a geopolitical flashpoint, with China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan holding overlapping territorial claims. The United States has reaffirmed its defense commitments to the Philippines, stating that any armed attack on Philippine forces, ships, or aircraft in the region would trigger its treaty obligations.

Source: https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/02/05/news/national/us-ph-fighter-planes-conduct-joint-patrol/2049835