PAF jets team up with US B-52sA Philippine Air Force FA-50PH fighter jet flies alongside a US B-52 bomber during an air patrol over the Luzon Strait on February 4. MANILA, Philippines — Fighter jets of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) flew and trained side-by-side with B-52 bomber planes of the United States military in a five-day bilateral exercise over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). The exercise continued with an air defense scenario on Feb. 4 over the WPS focusing on airspace coordination, command-and-control integration and joint operational response. On Feb. 6, Basco said the activity culminated in a joint bomber air patrol, again over the WPS and the Luzon Strait, highlighting combined mission planning, airspace coordination, and operational readiness among PAF, PACAF and supporting US forces. “These activities enhanced bilateral interoperability, operational readiness and strategic cooperation through joint planning, coordination and execution in a realistic training environment,” she said.

Source: Philippine Star February 07, 2026 16:33 UTC