U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation Published March 26, 2024 By Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs BASA AIR BASE, Philippines -- Cope Thunder - Philippines 24-1, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise, is scheduled to begin on April 8 with primary flight operations over the newly renovated runway at Basa Air Base, Philippines, and run through April 19. CT-PH24-1 aims to facilitate bilateral fighter training with the Philippine Air Force and enhance combined interoperability among participating forces. U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation Philippine Air Force Col. Alfred Sarmiento, 5th Fighter Wing director of operations, delivers the opening remarks for the closing ceremony of exercise Cope Thunder 23-2 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 21, 2023. Exercises like these enhance capability and interoperability, while strengthening trust between like-minded nations to ensure the air, maritime, cyber, and space domains remain open to all nations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cooper) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation U.S. Air Force Airmen and Philippine Air Force members take a moment to speak together out of the rain during exercise Cope Thunder 23-2 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 16, 2023. The United States is committed to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Cooper) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation U.S. Air Force Airmen perform maintenance on an A-10c Thunderbolt II during exercise Cope Thunder 23-2 on the South ramp of Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 9, 2023. Cope Thunder gives us an opportunity to exercise combined fighter operations and enable tactical units to operate together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jhade Herrera) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation An HH-60G Jolly Green II flies overhead during Cope Thunder 23-2 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 7, 2023. Cope Thunder 23-2 gave the U.S. and the Philippines the opportunity to exercise combined fighter operations and enable tactical units to operate together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Vaughn Weber) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res During this first iteration of CT-PH24, U.S. Airmen from Misawa Air Base, Japan, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, are set to participate, managing operations and providing support for F-16s from the 13th Fighter Squadron stationed at Misawa AB. Originating in the Philippines in 1976, Cope Thunder relocated to Eielson Air Force Base in 1992, later rebranding as Red Flag Alaska. Resuming in the Philippines in 2023, this exercise offers a distinctive platform to integrate forces and enhance interoperability between the Philippine and United States air forces. U.S., Philippine Air Force to conduct exercise Cope Thunder for enhanced bilateral cooperation U.S. Air Force Airmen perform maintenance on an A-10c Thunderbolt II during exercise Cope Thunder 23-2 on the South ramp of Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 9, 2023. It is critical that we continue to train and operate with our Allies and partners, so we are integrated and ready to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jhade Herrera) Photo Details / Download Hi-Res U.S. Air Force Airmen perform maintenance on an A-10c Thunderbolt II during exercise Cope Thunder 23-2 on the South ramp of Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 9, 2023. It is critical that we continue to train and operate with our Allies and partners, so we are integrated and ready to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jhade Herrera)