Manila: Exercises and drills with its local and foreign counterparts are providing the Philippine Air Force (PAF) with much-needed capabilities in defending the country's airspace, its spokesperson said on Thursday. "We have training, hindi lang lokal (not only local), but also bilateral and multilateral exercises like the Balikatan, (and) Cope Thunder, which is with the United States, and we also have with our other branches of service -- yung (the) Kamandag, with the Marines," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Christina Basco said in an interview with PTV's "Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon".
According to Philippines News Agency, Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) is the most prominent annual military exercise between the Philippines and the US, while Cope Thunder is a major annual bilateral air exercise that seeks to enhance interoperability between participating Filipino and American air units. Kamandag (venom), in turn, is the annual exercise between the Philippine Marine Corps and its US counterparts. Basco said PAF units will also be taking part in Australia's "Pitch Black', the Royal Australian Air Force's premier biennial exercise, which will be held from end-July to the first week of August this year.
"Ito pong mga training na ito, makapag-sharpen ng capacities ng ating mga airmen and airwomen. At the same time, it develop(s) interoperability with our allies and partners. Napakalaking bagay po ito para maging top notch po ang ating Air Force and natugunan po natin ang ating trabaho sa pagdedepensa ng ating territory (These trainings will sharpen capacities of our airmen and airwomen. At the same time, it develops interoperability with our allies and partners. This is a big factor in making our Air Force top-notch and help us in our job to protect our territory),' she said.
Likewise, Basco said the PAF's interoperability with its allies is very important since it will allow efficient coordination in joint patrolling and humanitarian assistance and missions. "Dapat meron din po tayong kapasidad (we should also have the capability) to be at par with them and also assist them," she added.
Earlier, PAF commander Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura said the Air Force is committed to being an effective force provider to the Unified Commands and the Joint Force, advancing the objectives of the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept, and strengthening cooperation with allies and partners across all domains. "Through joint air control operations, air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, close air support, battlefield air interdiction, HADR (humanitarian assistance and disaster relief) and other operational activities, the PAF demonstrated what it can do with what it has, delivering operational effects that strengthened national defense, supported joint force objectives, and protected the interests of the Philippine people," he said.
