Clark Air Base to host Japan-PH air exercises

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO Clark Air Base in Pampanga will host on November 17 to December 11 Japan-Philippines bilateral aior exercises aimed to enhance the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief or HADR capabilities, particularly in the delivery of relief goods to affected people in severe emergencies.

The unit-to-unit exercise will feature two McDonnell Douglas F-15 "Eagle" jet fighters and 60 personnel in exchanges at Clark Air Base and the surrounding airspace meant to promote mutual understanding and defense cooperation.

The F-15s are twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighters designed initially to meet the United States Air Force's requirement for a dedicated air superiority fighter. It has a maximum speed of Mach 2.5 and a combat range of 1,061 nautical miles and is armed with a 20mm cannon and capable of carrying a variety of air-to-air missiles.

In a press statement Tuesday the Japanese Embassy in Manila said that deployed units from both parties will undergo exchange programs aimed at promoting mutual understanding and defense cooperation and exchanges.

Previously, the JASDF and PAF also conducted bilateral exercises on HADR in July 2021 and June 2022.