Angeles city: Around eight Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) aircraft from its "Black Eagles" Team and four from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will be taking part in the Feb. 23 scheduled "Friendship Flight" which aims to boost interoperability between the two services and highlights the growing defense ties between the two nations.
According to Philippines News Agency, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco disclosed that the participating ROKAF aircraft will include eight TA-50s, configured in an arrowhead formation with one designated as a photo ship to capture the aerial exercises. For the PAF, four FA-50PHs will be involved, with three in arrowhead formation and one serving as a photo ship.
In a recent advisory, the PAF stated that the "Black Eagles" Team, operating the TA-50s, will collaborate with the PAF's FA-50PHs over Clark Air Base in Angeles City, Pampanga. The advisory highlighted the intention of the ROKAF "Black Eagles" Team to conduct the "Friendship Flight" on February 23, 2026.
The TA-50s used by the "Black Eagles" are the aerobatic variant of the FA-50PHs, which the PAF utilizes as fighter jets. Both models are produced by Korea Aerospace Industries, the manufacturer from which the PAF procured its initial fleet of 12 FA-50PHs and is set to receive a second batch of 12 more advanced FA-50s.
The "Black Eagles," officially known as the 53rd Air Demonstration Group, was established on December 12, 1994, initially flying six Cessna A-37B "Dragonfly" aircraft. The team temporarily disbanded after the 2007 Seoul Air Show but reformed in 2010 with the acquisition of new T-50B planes.
